A new survey has revealed how much Americans are willing to spend on a first date—and the answer varied widely depending on where they live.
The poll of 2,000 adults, conducted nationally, asked: “What’s the maximum amount you would pay for a first date if you were the one paying?”
The results show significant regional differences, with the Northeast emerging as the region most willing to spend big, and the Midwest the most modest.
The data shows that Americans across the country say they are willing to spend an average of $125.60 on a first date. When broken down by region, the numbers reveal the exact contrasts:
- Northeast: $138.40
- West: $133.00
- Southeast: $124.50
- Southwest: $116.10
- Midwest: $118.50
The Northeast not only topped the national average but also had higher proportions of people willing to spend in premium price ranges.
For instance, 10 percent of respondents in the region said they would spend between $151 and $200, and 4 percent said they would go over $300—more than any other region.
Meanwhile, the Midwest had the highest percentage of budget-conscious daters, with 25 percent saying they would cap spending at $50 or less. Only 1 percent in the Midwest said they would consider spending more than $350.
Interestingly, the most-common spending range across all regions was $51 to $100, with 34 percent of respondents in every region selecting it.
The cost of living seems to be a significant factor influencing how much people are willing to spend on a first date, marriage and family therapist Aly Bullock told Newsweek.
“If you’re used to paying more for everything, you’re likely willing to spend more on a first date,” Bullock said. “It could also be influenced by the types of activities and restaurants available in your area, but I don’t think these numbers are different enough to indicate much about first-date values or expectations.”
When it comes to the relationship between spending more and relationship success, Bullock, who is also the head of relationships at dating app Paired, advised that it’s best to find a balance in spending.
“You want to be right in the middle,” she said. “Spending too much can look like love-bombing and set you up for unrealistic expectations in the relationship, and spending nothing can indicate that you’re not super excited about making a great impression.
“A happy medium lets the person know that you’re responsible, thoughtful, and also have boundaries with someone you just met.”
This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
Talker Research
