Best & Worst Cities for Singles

Adam McCann, Financial WriterNov 29, 2021

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
Nov 29, 2021

Finding love can be tough, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conditions have improved as the country has reopened this year, but the pandemic has also left many people strapped for cash, and the average date costs around $100. It certainly pays to live in a place where dating activities, such as dining out or watching a movie, are relatively cheaper.

More entertainment choices and a low cost of living don’t matter much, however, if the number of potential mates to meet are limited in your area. Nearly 50% of the U.S. adult population is unmarried (never married, divorced or widowed), according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. But the share may be higher or lower in every city, and the ratio of women to men also will differ in each. Some singles may boost their chances of meeting others through online dating. This is especially useful during the current pandemic, as it makes virtual dates possible, too.

To help America’s singles find love, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 32 key indicators of dating-friendliness. Our data set ranges from the share of the population that is single to the number of online dating opportunities to the average price for a two-person meal.

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Best Cities for Singles

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Economics	Fun & Recreation	Dating Opportunities
1	Madison, WI	64.94	60	20	2
2	Seattle, WA	63.10	161	4	4
3	Portland, OR	62.23	130	7	14
4	Denver, CO	61.34	127	16	5
5	Austin, TX	59.96	91	15	26
6	San Francisco, CA	59.88	179	3	6
7	Minneapolis, MN	59.83	109	29	8
8	Portland, ME	59.80	135	13	25
9	Tucson, AZ	59.28	90	36	11
10	Boise, ID	59.16	55	65	10
11	Pittsburgh, PA	59.10	104	17	23
12	Reno, NV	59.08	56	57	13
13	Salt Lake City, UT	58.97	37	23	49
14	Burlington, VT	58.39	142	82	1
15	Missoula, MT	58.19	64	145	3
16	Tempe, AZ	58.18	23	74	31
17	Manchester, NH	58.15	58	95	9
18	Atlanta, GA	58.11	96	26	24
19	Rochester, NY	57.98	132	21	19
20	Lincoln, NE	57.78	20	93	21
21	Columbia, SC	57.68	39	89	17
22	Colorado Springs, CO	57.55	44	47	37
23	Honolulu, HI	57.50	172	5	35
24	Grand Rapids, MI	57.38	51	39	46
25	Cincinnati, OH	57.33	70	24	55
26	Las Vegas, NV	57.26	143	11	56
27	Columbus, OH	57.18	42	52	39
28	Orlando, FL	57.07	119	10	91
29	Fort Lauderdale, FL	56.95	125	12	81
30	Boston, MA	56.86	181	6	18
31	St. Louis, MO	56.77	77	32	51
32	San Diego, CA	56.74	169	18	12
33	Rapid City, SD	56.43	19	139	16
34	Wilmington, DE	56.42	118	56	7
35	Fargo, ND	56.37	7	121	42
36	Virginia Beach, VA	56.04	35	31	97
37	Sioux Falls, SD	55.94	8	110	41
38	Albuquerque, NM	55.48	59	41	67
39	Lexington-Fayette, KY	55.17	26	77	65
40	Tacoma, WA	55.10	102	64	32
41	Worcester, MA	55.02	117	71	29
42	Miami, FL	54.98	170	1	118
43	Knoxville, TN	54.94	40	46	92
44	Spokane, WA	54.94	81	69	43
45	Omaha, NE	54.82	38	45	98
46	Tallahassee, FL	54.82	76	106	28
47	Lubbock, TX	54.54	14	164	30
48	Salem, OR	54.49	129	80	15
49	St. Paul, MN	54.44	116	60	36
50	Chandler, AZ	54.42	4	108	63
51	Richmond, VA	54.26	120	42	54
52	Raleigh, NC	54.11	68	40	96
53	Cheyenne, WY	53.92	1	156	62
54	Anchorage, AK	53.85	147	51	27
55	Houston, TX	53.78	115	35	69
56	Nashua, NH	53.70	28	97	59
57	Chicago, IL	53.56	177	9	76
58	San Antonio, TX	53.48	82	49	87
59	Scottsdale, AZ	53.47	84	38	100
60	Phoenix, AZ	53.38	62	105	52
61	Washington, DC	53.26	180	8	77
62	Des Moines, IA	53.06	21	114	84
63	Juneau, AK	53.00	149	72	33
64	Tampa, FL	52.97	98	22	115
65	New Haven, CT	52.97	154	78	22
66	Nashville, TN	52.87	88	27	125
67	Glendale, AZ	52.51	18	151	57
68	Cleveland, OH	52.46	123	63	61
69	San Jose, CA	52.43	141	67	40
70	Milwaukee, WI	52.37	124	59	64
71	Buffalo, NY	52.36	106	33	106
72	Providence, RI	52.23	166	37	48
73	Vancouver, WA	52.08	113	50	89
74	Corpus Christi, TX	52.06	36	118	85
75	Los Angeles, CA	52.04	178	19	47
76	Oklahoma City, OK	51.91	24	104	109
77	Dallas, TX	51.85	110	44	102
78	Fayetteville, NC	51.83	103	138	34
79	West Valley City, UT	51.83	17	165	38
80	Bismarck, ND	51.82	9	161	90
81	Springfield, MO	51.78	5	143	119
82	Cedar Rapids, IA	51.74	61	120	78
83	Overland Park, KS	51.62	22	84	122
84	Norfolk, VA	51.40	114	94	58
85	Louisville, KY	51.35	46	61	139
86	Aurora, CO	51.22	95	88	72
87	Irving, TX	51.12	69	115	75
88	Wichita, KS	51.12	33	135	94
89	Nampa, ID	51.10	29	177	20
90	El Paso, TX	51.02	25	75	151
91	Charleston, SC	50.93	105	25	145
92	St. Petersburg, FL	50.89	94	34	142
93	Jacksonville, FL	50.87	63	55	141
94	Jersey City, NJ	50.73	163	43	68
95	Charlotte, NC	50.63	80	54	135
96	Akron, OH	50.57	54	116	110
97	Mesa, AZ	50.57	15	101	128
98	Indianapolis, IN	50.53	49	79	137
99	New Orleans, LA	50.42	175	14	128
100	Durham, NC	50.25	13	85	154
101	Billings, MT	50.24	43	130	114
102	Baton Rouge, LA	50.22	111	107	71
103	Huntington Beach, CA	50.21	155	66	83
104	Baltimore, MD	49.80	156	28	124
105	Kansas City, MO	49.70	53	124	117
106	Irvine, CA	49.60	144	83	74
107	Gilbert, AZ	49.59	2	126	152
108	Aurora, IL	49.47	133	100	82
109	Arlington, TX	49.22	34	150	121
110	Tulsa, OK	49.22	16	127	148
111	Bridgeport, CT	49.21	159	86	44
112	Sacramento, CA	49.18	153	58	99
113	Riverside, CA	49.13	136	149	45
114	Long Beach, CA	49.11	173	70	60
115	Fort Worth, TX	49.09	52	92	146
116	Garden Grove, CA	48.99	160	95	70
117	Las Cruces, NM	48.98	50	133	111
118	Philadelphia, PA	48.97	165	30	127
119	Plano, TX	48.93	31	76	155
120	Augusta, GA	48.31	71	182	79
121	Oxnard, CA	48.25	168	141	50
122	Huntsville, AL	48.20	12	154	159
123	Fort Wayne, IN	48.01	41	102	160
124	Chesapeake, VA	47.96	30	157	123
125	Santa Ana, CA	47.88	157	117	66
126	Newark, NJ	47.58	151	73	120
127	Fontana, CA	47.53	146	148	88
128	Toledo, OH	47.53	75	134	132
129	Fresno, CA	47.35	128	136	101
130	Oceanside, CA	47.33	140	112	103
131	Bakersfield, CA	47.33	99	163	95
132	Chula Vista, CA	47.31	145	137	80
133	Columbia, MD	47.04	57	119	150
134	Anaheim, CA	47.00	150	98	108
135	Casper, WY	46.97	10	167	157
136	Santa Clarita, CA	46.92	148	111	107
137	Oakland, CA	46.66	174	48	126
138	Memphis, TN	46.63	65	129	158
139	Amarillo, TX	46.57	3	166	166
140	Detroit, MI	46.55	138	122	113
141	Lewiston, ME	46.38	101	140	116
142	Chattanooga, TN	46.31	32	91	173
143	Newport News, VA	46.31	93	146	130
144	Huntington, WV	46.09	74	178	105
145	Columbus, GA	45.97	66	181	112
146	Little Rock, AR	45.97	89	132	156
147	Stockton, CA	45.93	112	169	104
148	Mobile, AL	45.82	27	155	164
149	Henderson, NV	45.70	83	152	138
150	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	45.62	121	142	133
151	Birmingham, AL	45.61	108	123	153
152	Ontario, CA	45.57	152	160	93
153	Port St. Lucie, FL	45.51	11	131	171
154	Fremont, CA	45.51	137	90	147
155	North Las Vegas, NV	45.48	126	175	86
156	Santa Rosa, CA	45.22	176	62	140
157	San Bernardino, CA	45.18	164	176	73
158	Pearl City, HI	45.15	158	180	53
159	Charleston, WV	45.08	78	170	136
160	New York, NY	44.91	182	2	165
161	Yonkers, NY	44.77	134	53	168
162	Garland, TX	44.63	87	158	149
163	South Burlington, VT	44.48	92	109	163
164	Greensboro, NC	44.45	48	87	180
165	Peoria, AZ	44.34	6	153	176
166	Dover, DE	44.31	122	144	143
167	Modesto, CA	43.94	139	159	134
168	Grand Prairie, TX	43.75	97	168	144
169	Gulfport, MS	43.72	45	171	162
170	Cape Coral, FL	43.67	85	113	170
171	Warwick, RI	43.35	131	68	174
172	Shreveport, LA	42.88	67	172	167
173	Laredo, TX	42.84	47	128	177
174	Winston-Salem, NC	42.21	73	147	175
175	Jackson, MS	42.03	78	174	169
176	Moreno Valley, CA	41.79	162	173	131
177	Pembroke Pines, FL	41.69	100	103	179
178	Montgomery, AL	41.57	72	162	172
179	Fort Smith, AR	40.83	86	179	161
180	Hialeah, FL	38.97	167	99	178
181	Brownsville, TX	37.19	107	125	182
182	Glendale, CA	37.05	171	81	181

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

artwork 2021 best worst cities for singles

Ask the Experts

The dating scene in each city is unique. In every situation, cost and budget will play a key role in finding your soul mate. We therefore turned to a panel of experts for advice on money, what makes a good city for singles and how to draw singles to those areas. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

With the rise of dating apps — and therefore dates — what financial advice do you have targeted to singles on a budget?
What should singles be looking for when choosing a city?
Do you think virtual dating during the pandemic is a viable option for single people to save money and safely enjoy dating at the same time?
How has the pandemic changed the dating scene in U.S. cities in the past year?
Should local authorities work to make cities more attractive to singles? If so, how?

Ask the Experts

Nikki Truscelli
Ph.D. – Lecturer, Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara
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Katheryn C. Maguire
Ph.D. – Professor and Chair, Department of Communication – Wayne State University
Read More

Sylvia L. Mikucki-Enyart
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies; Faculty Research Fellow at UI Public Policy Center, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – University of Iowa
Read More

Joshua R. Pederson
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Communication Studies, College of Communication and Information Sciences – The University of Alabama
Read More

Joris Van Ouytsel
Assistant Professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University
Read More

Colter Ray
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies – Louisiana State University and Expert Trainer at Empathy Bootcamp
Read More

More Experts

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for singles, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Economics, 2) Fun & Recreation and 3) Dating Opportunities.

We evaluated those dimensions using 32 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for singles. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

Economics – Total Points: 25

Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Beer & Wine Price: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Cocktail Price: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Price for Two-Person Meal: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average price of a basic two-person dinner in a neighborhood pub.
Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Price for Two Tickets to the Theater: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Taxi-Fare Cost: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Haircut Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Median Annual Household Income: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric was measured using the rent of a one-bedroom apartment (adjusted by the median annual household income).
Job Growth Rate: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Overall Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)

Fun & Recreation – Total Points: 25

Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated: Double Weight (~3.85 Points)
Number of Attractions: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, museums, cultural performances and zoos.
Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Fitness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
City Accessibility: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Walkability: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Weather: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.
Safety: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)

Dating Opportunities – Total Points: 50

Share of Single Population: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Singles Gender Balance: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Online Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of households with a broadband connection.
Mobile Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults who own a smartphone.
Google Search Traffic for the Term “Tinder”: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Note: This metric was used as a proxy for the cities that search Tinder the most.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Council for Community and Economic Research, Numbeo, Esri's Updated Demographics - 2021 estimates (Market Potential: GfK MRI), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trust for Public Land, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Walk Score, Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, Expatistan, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Google Trends and WalletHub research.

Supporting Video Files:

Questions & Answers(2 questions)

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