For a growing number of young Americans, dating is starting to feel less like romance and more like another monthly expense. Between rising gas prices, expensive restaurant tabs, and subscription-heavy dating apps, many singles are quietly deciding that love can wait until their bank account recovers.
A recent BMO Financial Group survey found that half of single Americans are either going on fewer dates or choosing cheaper outings because of rising costs. Gen Z respondents reported spending an average of $205 per date, while millennials averaged $252. Nearly half of singles surveyed also admitted dating no longer feels worth the financial strain.
The pressure comes as everyday expenses continue climbing nationwide. U.S. gas prices recently surged above $4.50 per gallon for the first time since 2022, according to a study by GasBuddy, whcih was covered by Reuters.
Restaurant prices are rising too, with menu prices increasing roughly 3.8% over the past year as inflation continues squeezing the food industry, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
That reality is reshaping how younger people approach first dates.
“There’s such a higher chance that something doesn’t click,” said Columbia University student David Kuang. “And then there goes your $40 dinner bill down the drain on someone that you might never talk to again.”
Others are setting strict spending limits before even meeting someone. Even finding a match now comes with a price tag. Many dating apps lock premium features behind monthly subscriptions, turning modern dating into what some users describe as a “pay-to-play” system.
For singles already dealing with inflation, romance is beginning to look like one more luxury expense they cannot fully justify.
