Prom Price Shock In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, N.J. — For high school seniors across Essex County, prom season has become more than a rite of passage. However, it has also become a major financial commitment.

Between prom tickets, dresses, tuxedo rentals, transportation, hair appointments and after-parties, many families say the total cost of attending prom can easily climb past $1,000. At schools across Essex County, students are balancing the pressure of social media expectations with the realities of household budgets.

“I knew prom was going to be expensive, but I didn’t realize how fast the costs added up,” said Maya, a senior at Weequahic High School, who asked that her last name not be used because she is a minor.

Weequahic High School’s senior prom is scheduled for June 10, giving students just a few more weeks to finalize dresses, tuxedos and transportation plans. Maya said her prom ticket cost $135. She spent another $279 on a glittered gown from an online store called Windsor, $95 on shoes, $120 on hair styling and $80 to split a party bus with friends.

“My mom kept telling me to slow down, but every time I opened TikTok, somebody had a new dress or a new idea,” she said.

For many students, prom shopping now starts months in advance. At East Side High School, where students attended prom on May 15, several seniors said they felt pressure to keep up with social media trends while staying within budget. At Millburn High School, where senior prom is scheduled for June 16, students said costs for tickets, attire and transportation have become one of the biggest financial conversations of senior year.

Some Newark-area students said they are choosing less expensive dresses from retailers like Fashion Nova or Windsor instead of designer gowns that can cost between $500 and $1,500. Tuxedo rentals are also climbing. Students interviewed for this story said most rentals ranged from $200 to $350 once shoes and accessories were included.

Aaliyah, a senior at Livingston High School who also asked that her last name not be used because she is a minor, said she purchased a $149 satin dress from Camille La Vie in Elizabeth and is borrowing jewelry from her cousin. Her school’s senior prom is scheduled for June 12.

“I still wanted to look good without stressing my mom out,” Aaliyah said. “Everybody doesn’t have celebrity money for prom.”

Families say transportation costs have also surged, adding to the financial burden of attending prom. Traditional limousine packages can run between $700 and $1,500 depending on the size of the group and number of hours booked. Students who split party buses with friends said the shared costs were more manageable, though still expensive.

For some families, the expenses have forced difficult conversations.

“I told my son he had to choose between designer sneakers or the luxury car rental,” said Denise Carter, a Millburn parent. “There was no way we were doing both.”

Even with rising costs, many students said they are turning to local businesses for more affordable prom options, including formalwear shops, hairstylists and makeup artists offering services at a range of price points. Some students said shopping locally helped them avoid high shipping costs and long delivery delays from online retailers.

Community members have also organized informal dress swaps and social media donation drives to help students find gently used gowns and suits.

Some students are also taking a more practical approach to prom spending. Jordan Ellis, a Newark senior, said he skipped renting a luxury car and instead used the money toward graduation expenses.

“Prom is important, but college deposits are real too,” Ellis said.

Still, students say the experience remains meaningful. Several seniors said prom represents one of the last major moments they will share together before graduation and college plans pull classmates in different directions. Others said the night is less about luxury and more about creating memories with friends after years of balancing academics, sports, jobs and family responsibilities.

“After everything we’ve been through in high school, people just want one night to feel special,” Maya said.