Report: 1 in 10 young singles stopped dating because of cost

The rising cost of living has impacted singles for years now, and a new report from payment service Zelle shares new insights on just how much their bank accounts influence how (and if) they find love.

Zelle’s Economics of Dating Report found that the vast majority (84 percent) of Gen Z and millennial daters say rising cost has affected their dating lives (according to an Aug. 2026 national survey of 1,800 Gen Z and millennial adults who’ve dated within the past year).

Around a third (32 percent) said they’re going on fewer dates, and one in 10 (11 percent) have stopped dating because they can’t afford it.

As Mashable reported this year, socioeconomic factors can definitely hinder dating. Not only can some young people not afford dates, but more are living at home and can’t buy a home. This can then delay when people get married and have children.

But for those young adults still in the dating pool, Zelle’s report found that some respondents are choosing less expensive activities (40 percent), preferring more frequent economical dates to occasional expensive ones (38 percent), and suggesting free activities (37 percent).

And in this economy, being seen as frugal is a good thing. Thirty-eight percent said they judged someone positively for planning an affordable, thoughtful date — more than the 23 percent who said the same for someone who put together an extravagant, high-end one.

Other financial green flags include being thoughtful with money (56 percent), being honest and transparent about money (54 percent), planning a thoughtful, budget-friendly date (52 percent), and paying without making the situation awkward (52 percent).

On the flipside, there are some red flags when it comes to money and dating, such as making someone uncomfortable about what they can afford, expecting the other person to pay for everything, complaining about every price, and talking too much about income — all of which 47 percent of participants said gave them the ick. Around the same amount, 46 percent, also flagged making a big deal about paying.

Money anxiety abounds these days, including when trying to find a partner. Among women respondents, being rejected and spending too much ranked equally as sources of dating anxiety (37 percent). Other sources of anxiety are spending too much on a date (34 percent of participants said this), making sure a date fits within their budget (29 percent), discussing finances (28 percent), and asking who pays (25 percent).

Twenty-six percent said they won’t bring up payment with their date at all.

This all seems like glum news, but at least 89 percent of daters are still putting themselves out there. There are dating apps you can use for free and low-cost outings, too, like a walk in the park. Otherwise, some singles might find themselves turning to AI for a cheaper date.