The Pool Report

Gen Z dating statistics

A 2026 survey asked U.S. adults ages 18–29 about dating, spending, and money.

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51% of surveyed U.S. Gen Z adults reported $0 monthly dating spend (of full sample).

1,133 adults ages 18–29 took an online survey. Results were adjusted to match national totals. February 10–28, 2026; ±3 points.

Bank of America Better Money Habits / Ipsos Gen Z report, 2026

Check the source ↗

Ipsos surveyed 1,133 adults from February 10–28, 2026. The sample included people who were not actively dating.

Source: 2026 Bank of America and Ipsos survey.

DATE SPENDING / 2026BANK OF AMERICA + IPSOS
51%

of Gen Z reported spending $0 a month on romantic dates.

The survey included all adults ages 18–29. Of those surveyed, 45% were single and not actively dating.

DATING BUDGETMONTHLY → YEARLY
$50/ MONTH
ONE YEAR$600

$1–$50 A MONTH14% of people in the survey reported this range.

51%of both men and women reported $0 monthly
14%reported spending $1–$50 monthly
24%are delaying relationship progress because of finances
74%say financial responsibility matters in a partner

Ipsos surveyed 1,133 U.S. adults ages 18–29 online from February 10-28, 2026. Results were adjusted to represent the nation. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points. Read the report ↗

Relationship status

45% were single and not actively dating. Another 11% were single and actively dating.

Money and relationships

74% said financial responsibility mattered in a partner. 24% said finances had delayed relationship milestones.

Common questions

How reliable are the results?

The answers were adjusted to better represent U.S. adults ages 18–29. The reported margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Gen Z dating and cost

About Nora Hale

Nora Hale writes about looking for love today, from choosing a dating app to wondering why dating feels so hard. She uses research to answer the questions people ask along the way.

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