""To me, that signals a real shift: Connection is no longer something people pursue spontaneously; it's something they have to budget for, justify, and sometimes opt out of entirely," says Farnoosh Torabi, a financial analyst and host of the So Money podcast."
"An overwhelming majority of US singles (86 percent) say that money concerns have led them to delay dating or reentering the dating pool, according to a survey published in April by financial services firm JG Wentworth."
"A BMO Real Financial Progress Index report earlier this year found that 'date-flation' is on the rise, with the average all-in cost of a date increasing by 12.5 percent in 2026, to $189, a rate that is outpacing the cost of living."
"Low-income earners are being hit the hardest-33 percent of people making under $50,000 per year say they've stopped dating completely, while 15 percent of people earning over $100,000 have fully taken a break from the dating process."
The landscape of modern dating is increasingly affected by economic factors, with 86 percent of US singles delaying dating due to financial concerns. The average cost of a date is projected to rise by 12.5 percent in 2026, reaching $189, which is outpacing living costs. Low-income individuals are particularly impacted, with many ceasing to date altogether. This shift indicates that connection is now a budgeted activity, making dating more intentional but also more limited and unequal.
Read at WIRED
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