To help America’s singles find love, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 36 key indicators of dating-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of the population that is single to the number of online dating opportunities to the average price for a two-person meal. Here’s what they uncovered…
Where Can Singles Find Love?
Well, it can be tough, especially during a year of high inflation that has left many people strapped for cash. The average date costs over $90 and 19% of people in Gen Z and 22% of millennials report going into debt for dates. Therefore, it certainly pays to live in a place where dating activities, such as dining out or watching a movie, are relatively cheaper.
More entertainment choices and a low cost of living don’t matter much, however, if the number of potential mates to meet are limited in your area. Nearly 50% of the U.S. adult population is unmarried (never married, divorced, or widowed), according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The share may be higher or lower in an individual city, though, and the ratio of women to men also will differ in each. Some singles may boost their chances of meeting others through online dating, which got a boost in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If individuals have a limited budget, then they should be precise in their app choices. If they truly want to be only casually involved with others, then they should not use premarital apps. If they truly want to find long-term partners, then it is not a good investment to use casual encounter sites. Parallel to other living expenses while on a budget, singles should target their efforts on the best fit for their authentic goals.”
— Jacki Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Texas Tech University
Best and Worst Cities for Singles
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Best Cities for Singles
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Worst Cities for Singles
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1. Seattle, WA
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173. Montgomery, AL
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2. Madison, WI
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174. Columbia, MD
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3. Denver, CO
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175. Dover, DE
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4. San Francisco, CA
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176. Winston-Salem, NC
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5. Portland, OR
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177. Shreveport, LA
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6. Minneapolis, MN
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178. Fort Smith, AR
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7. Austin, TX
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179. Hialeah, FL
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8. Honolulu, HI
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180. Brownsville, TX
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9. San Diego, CA
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181. Glendale, CA
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10. Atlanta, GA
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182. Warwick, RI
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Best vs. Worst
- Burlington, Vermont, has the highest share of single people, 74.83 percent, which is two times higher than in Fremont, California, the city with the lowest at 37.68 percent.
- Glendale, Arizona, has the lowest average restaurant-meal cost, $30.00, which is 3.3 times lower than in New York, Irvine, California, Pearl City, Hawaii, and Santa Rosa, California, the cities with the highest at $100.00.
- Indianapolis has the lowest average price for a bottle of wine, $3.68, which is four times lower than in Detroit the city with the highest at $14.74.
- Port St. Lucie, Florida, has the lowest average price for a movie ticket, $6.43, which is 2.7 times lower than in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, the cities with the highest at $17.40.
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