The cost of dating in 2024 is stressing people out, survey finds
LOS ANGELES - Trying to find love can be stressful for a variety of reasons. However, a recent survey conducted by Self Financial found that money may be one of the most significant factors in dating.
According to the survey results, nearly 69% of American adults felt uneasy about the cost of a date, while almost 68% expressed anxiety about managing expenses when planning a date.
This is not the first piece of data to indicate Americans' weariness when it comes to dating amid high inflation and cost of living.
A separate survey from October 2022 by Lending Tree found that one in five Americans reported not dating because of the rising costs.
READ MORE: 1 in 5 Americans dating less because of inflation
How much Americans spend on dating
Despite the growing anxiety around dating and money, Americans plan to meet "the one."
Roughly two-thirds of respondents for the Self survey said spending more on their date would make it a success.
The average amount Americans spent on a date varied by gender. On average, men reported spending $67.87, while women spent less, $56.61 per date.
The survey found that dinner dates were the preferred method of meeting a potential new partner.
In fact, nearly half of all respondents said meeting for dinner was their preferred way of meeting someone, while 44% of respondents preferred coffee dates.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals who go on one date per week spend slightly less than the average monthly dining-out expenditure of $218.42 for all Americans.
However, expenses escalate for those dating three or more times monthly. Those dating 1-2 times a month spend an average of $57.21, whereas those dating 3-4 times spend a higher amount at $69.68.
How much each generation spends on a first date
According to a separate 2020 survey by Lending Tree, here's how the average amount spent on a first date differed by generation:
- Gen Z: $72
- Millennials: $83
- Gen X: $82
- Baby boomers: $58