On that note, many young people say dating isn’t worth the expense at all. Between rising housing costs, groceries, gas, and health insurance, young people are finding it difficult to squeeze in a first date tab. A survey found nearly half of Gen Z adults even said the high cost of dating gets in the way of attaining their financial objectives. On average, Gen Z adults spend around $205 per date—when adding together all the costs of getting ready, transportation, and the date itself—while Millennials spend $252. Plus, the process of getting a date might also cost them if they want all the perks of a paid subscription to a dating app. Because of how quickly it all adds up, some young people are just not focusing on dating. YPulse’s 2026 Dating and Relationships report shows that more than half of 18-24-year-olds are single, with nearly a third saying they are actively looking to date but a quarter are not looking to date—whether they’re focusing on themselves or their finances. (CNBC)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Are Twentysomethings Over Dating?
