In today’s day and age, it’s never been easier to right-swipe your way into a date (though not necessarily a relationship). As such, dating is a booming business in America, as well as an increasingly expensive one. According to a recent Match.com survey, the average unmarried American spent $1,596 on dating in 2016. Since the marriage rate is plummeting, and since 68 percent of men on the site said that they’re looking to find love this year, it’s fair to speculate that there are more Americans going on first dates now than ever before.
If you’re a traditional guy who likes to do “dinner and a movie” and take care of the bill, the cost of this search for love can really add up. And just how expensive your quest for romance really varies depending on your location. The financial news and opinion company 24/7 Wall St. recently constructed an index to determine the average cost of a date—the restaurant bill (including a bottle of wine) as well as two movie tickets–in every state, and found that this time-honored tradition racked up as little as $38.27 in the cheapest state and $297.27 in the most expensive one.
To see how your state measures up, you can read on to learn the cost of an average date in every state, ranked from least to most expensive. As you peruse the findings, it’s good to keep in mind that you don’t always need to stick to the “dinner and a movie” social script, especially if you’re strapped for cash. Some of the most romantic and memorable dates can cost very little, or nothing at all. As such, we’ve also provided some economically-friendly alternatives for the areas in which dinner and a movie for a first date might be too much of a financial gamble. And for more inspiration, check out 40 Irresistible First Date Ideas.
The average cost of a date here is $38.27. But a good relationship isn’t all about money. For more on this, check out Science Says People with This Personality Trait Have Better Sex.
The average cost of a date here is $42.43.
The average cost of a date here is $48.91. And for some of the stats on how much the dating world has changed, check out This Is How Long Today’s Average Couple Dates Before Getting Married.
The average date here costs $50.90.
The average cost of a date here is $52.10.
The average date here costs $54.76. Got a crush but unsure of whether or not to make a move? Check out 10 Subtle Signs a Girl Really Likes You.
The average cost of a date here is $55.57.
The average cost of a date here is $59.01. For more dating guidance, courtesy of science, check out Here’s Why Your Days of Playing Hard to Get Should Be Numbered.
The average cost of a date here is $63.65. And if you’re lucky enough to find someone to grow old with, it’s worth noting that Oklahoma City is one of The 50 Best Cities to Spend Your Golden Years.
The average cost of a date here is $68.29.
The average cost of a date here is $71.08. If things go well, it’s worth noting that St. Louis has been ranked as one of The 20 Best Cities to Get Married in the U.S.
The average cost of a date here is $73.21.
The average cost of a date here is $80.41. Want to boost your chances of impressing a lady? Check out 30 Things Men Do That Women Always Find Sexy.
The average cost of a date here is $81.76. If you’re a whiskey fan, you might opt for a tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail instead.
The average cost of a date here is $84.92. But nothing says romance like watching the boats sail along the coast at sunset.
The average cost of a date here is $86.15. For a real taste of grandeur, take a look inside the 200-year-old Napoleon House in New Orleans.
The average cost of a date here is $86.51. Viewing the rugged terrain of Albuquerque via the Sandia Peak Tramway ($25 a person) is a breathtaking sight neither of you will forget.
The average cost of a date here is $87.93. But the general admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is only $25 each.
The average cost of a date here is $88.53. With only a few weeks of summer left, hit the waves at Wrightsville Beach instead.
The average cost of a date here is $90.94. Luckily, the state the second most drive-in theaters per capita in the nation, where you can park outside and catch a movie under the stars for just $7 a head.
The average cost of a date here is $92.38. Fans of the great outdoors? The head straight for the Great Smoky Mountains.
The average cost of a date here is $95.60. But a 3.3-mile hike at Flattop Mountain Trail in Anchorage is free. Not to mention, the average cost here might be somewhat swayed by the fact that, surprisingly, Alaska has one of the highest concentrations of millionaires in America.
The average cost of a date here is $96.54.
The average cost of a date here is $96.84.
The average cost of a date here is $98.28. Bryce Canyon, which features other-worldly spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos, can be a great spot for a first date, given that it’s one of the 50 Destinations So Magical You Won’t Believe They’re in the U.S.
The average cost of a date here is $106.36. Though you can always ride off into the sunset together at one of the many horseback riding ranches here instead.
The average cost of a date here is $109.12. But a day soak in one of the many hot springs resorts in the state is only $20 per person.
The average cost of a date here is $109.81. There’s a growing singles scene here though, since Minneapolis is one of The 10 Cities Millennials Are Flocking To.
The average cost of a date here is $110.99. For a true taste of the Lone Star State, check out a rodeo show (tickets start at $50). You might want to check his fingers first, however, since five Texan cities recently made it into Ashley Madison’s list of The 20 American Cities with the Most Unfaithful Husbands.
The average cost of a date here is $112.90. Get some fresh air and rent a tandem bike for $80 for a ride around Mackinac Island.
The average cost of a date here is $119.19. But admission is free at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
The average cost of a date here is $119.79. For a truly otherworldly experience, visit one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden, for only $16.95 per person.
The average cost of a date here is $121.12. If you’re both interested in the deep blue sea, however, a trip to the aquarium ($30 per person) is much more memorable.
The average cost of a date here is $128.82. So why not take a stroll along Disney’s Boardwalk in Orlando instead?
The average cost of a date here is $134.27. But if you leave the city, you’re likely to find less expensive options at one of the restaurants along the Delaware Culinary Trail.
The average cost of a date here is $140.85. If you’re both the adventurous type, you can hop in an all-terrain vehicle and roll over 150 miles of ATV-specified trails.
The average cost of a date here is $153.52.
The average cost of a date here is $157.02. The good news is that Maine recently got the top spot in a ranking of the 20 American States Where People Have the Most Free Time, so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to go out.
The average cost of a date here is $157.96. Why not head to a city park for a rousing game of Whirlyball–a a cross between basketball, lacrosse, and bumper cars–in a city park instead?
The average cost of a date here is $164.57. For a significant less expensive but even more interesting experience, grab a couple of drinks at the White Horse Tavern in Newport, the oldest bar in America.
The average cost of a date here is $184.60. If you’re both big hikers, you can watch the sun rise at the second most climbed mountain in the world, Mount Monadnock.
The average cost of a date here is $193.94. Depending on how far along you are in your relationship, you might consider spending an evening in one of the cute B&BS in the state instead.
The average cost of a date here is $195.00. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Bridal Veil Falls, a 1,328-foot waterfall in the the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
The average cost of a date here is $209.33. But a seaside stroll along Ocean City Boardwalk? Free.
The average cost of a date here is $217.51. Nothing says romance like a trip to one of the many lighthouses in Martha’s Vineyard though.
The average cost of a date here is $226.35. But you can always catch one of the many free concerts hosted by the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles instead.
The average cost of a date here is $230.34. How about visiting one of the 24 vineyards along the Connecticut Wine Trail for a glass of wine paired with cheese instead?
The average cost of a date here is $239.95. The good news is that there’s nothing more romantic than a free trip to the Waimea Canyon State Park, located in the scenic Island of Kaua’i. And if longevity is one of your goals, it’s worth noting that this state got the top spot in a ranking of the US States Where People Live the Longest.
The average cost of a date here is $259.60. In comparison, a sunset cruise around the Hudson River ($120 per ticket) seems pretty reasonable, and much more memorable.
The average cost of a date here is $297.27. But if you rent bikes for $12 a day and cycle around Central Park, you’ll absorb all of the beauty of nature and vibrance of the city.
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