With Valentine’s Day around the corner and inflation making dating more expensive, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States for Singles in 2025, as well as expert commentary, to help people increase their chances of finding love while protecting their wallets.
 
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 29 key indicators of dating-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of single adults to the unemployment rate for singles to the number of restaurants per capita.

Dating in New York (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

• Overall Rank: 2^nd
• 5^th – % of Single Adults
• 14^th – Gender Balance of Singles
• 24^th – Online-Dating Opportunities
• 28^th – Mobile-Dating Opportunities
• 23^rd – Median Annual Household Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 1^st – Restaurants per Capita
• 3^rd – Movie Theaters per Capita
• 29^th – Crime Rate

Expert Commentary

Should local authorities work to make states more attractive to single professionals? If so, how?

“In my opinion, it would be wise for local authorities to make their state more attractive for singles. According to data from Pew Research Center (2021), singlehood in the U.S. is on the rise, with 38% of adults living without a spouse or partner in 2019 compared to 29% in 1990. This trend is expected to continue, as more people are living without a committed romantic partner for longer periods of time. States that want to attract new residents should plan accordingly by creating vibrant, inclusive communities and offering amenities and resources that cater to singles' diverse needs.”
Lisa Walsh – Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Los Angeles
 
“Yes! Single professionals can be a vibrant part of a community – bringing a liveliness and financial investment that can help a community flourish. Communities can make themselves more attractive to young professionals by developing spaces that encourage interactions, such as green spaces, events, and overall accessibility.”
Dr. Beth Ribarsky – Professor and Scme Director, University of Illinois at Springfield

 
What tips do you have for saving money when dating?

“Dating is, at its heart…a way to get to know someone else. Think authentically about how you want to show up and what activities reflect who you really are and what you really like. More often than not, those activities don’t cost a lot of money and do accomplish the goal of letting someone in on what you are really all about.”
Emily Balcetis – Associate Professor, New York University
 
“Dating can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a lot of low cost/free activities that give people the chance to connect. Look for low cost or free activities. For example, many museums and festivals might be free – although this doesn’t mean that any extras like snacks or drinks are. Or, many outdoor adventures like taking a walk in the park, going for a hike/bike ride give people the chance to talk and also engage in feel-good, endorphin releasing physical activities. Once you’ve gotten to know each other (and feel safe with one another), it doesn’t mean that you always have to go out to have fun. There’s nothing wrong with cooking at home or curling up on the couch. It can be a simple and intimate experience. If you don’t believe yourself to be much of a chef, many grocery stores nowadays offer meal kits that make it difficult to mess things up too much.”
Dr. Beth Ribarsky – Professor and Scme Director, University of Illinois at Springfield

 
When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?

“People often argue that money is something that should be avoided, especially on first dates. And, people’s ages or points in this life may also put more or less emphasis on financial impact. For example, someone in their early 20s might be less concerned about their partner’s finances than someone in their 40s. However, how someone approaches finances says so much about one’s lifestyle, goals, and overall compatibility with you. Therefore, I never sway from these discussions, especially if you are moving from casual dating to a more serious relationship. If you choose to have these discussions earlier on, you may ask indirect finance questions, such as, ‘What would it take for you to be comfortable to retire?’ or ‘What does retirement look like to you?’ As you spend more time together, you are also likely to pick up on some of their spending habits. Do they make purchases on a whim? Do they focus on saving?... Even if you’ve not been comfortable talking about finances, it is vitally important to do so if people are at significant turning points in their relationships, such as moving in together, marriage, etc.”
Dr. Beth Ribarsky – Professor and Scme Director, University of Illinois at Springfield