A recent report from BMO Financial Group indicates that the average cost of a date in the United States has reached $252, with millennials spending the most. The report, which surveyed 2,501 adults from late December to January, found that the average 'all-in' cost for a date, including grooming and transportation, has increased to $189, a rise of 12.5% from the previous year. This increase, termed 'date-flation,' significantly exceeds the overall inflation rate of 2.7% during the same period.
Experts suggest that rising costs are affecting dating habits, with half of Americans who date reporting fewer outings or opting for less expensive activities due to inflation. The average number of dates per person has decreased from 14 in 2025 to 12 in the past year.
The report also highlights differing expectations regarding who pays for dates, with 71% of men expecting to cover the entire cost initially, while 52% of women prefer to split expenses. Sociologist Jess Carbino noted that economic uncertainty may lead to a return to traditional gender roles in dating. Clinical psychologist Sabrina Romanoff pointed out that social media may exacerbate these expectations by creating gendered narratives about dating and finances.