Love aint cheap: Heres where Americans splurge and skimp on first dates

Romance is in the air — and it’s charging by the minute.A new survey has exposed the price tag on first impressions, revealing just how much Americans are shelling out for that all-important first date. And let’s just say: folks in the Northeast are dropping dollar bills faster than hearts in a rom-com, as reported by Newsweek. Single people in the Northeast are the biggest spenders, topping the list at $138.40, followed by the West at $133 — while Midwesterners are keeping things humble at $118.50.Nationwide, the average amount people say they’d cough up for a first date is a whopping $125.60 — with regional wallets telling very different love stories.And while 34% of Americans opt for the relatively reasonable $51–$100 range, 10% of Northeasterners are willing to dish out $151 to $200, with another 4% fine to blow past $300.But don’t confuse spending with sentiment, warns relationship therapist Aly Bullock.How much people spend on a first date “…could also be influenced by the types of activities and restaurants available in your area…” Bullock told Newsweek in a recent interview. Still, that first-date fever comes with financial consequences. The average American has gone on $3,025.12 worth of dates over the past year, according to a 2023 survey conducted by OnePoll in partnership with LELO — with each romantic rendezvous ringing in at around $189.And good luck splitting the check.While 27% of daters alternate tabs, men still overwhelmingly foot the bill (54%) compared to just 12% of women.That gap adds up — especially for Gen Zers, who are leading the love economy with $194 per date and nearly 14 outings per year, according to a February 2025 study by BMO Real Financial Progress Index.This totals a heart-thumping $2,676 annually.

Even so, younger singles aren’t all-in on pricey meetups — 46% say they feel pressured to plan expensive dates.Bullock warns that breaking the bank too soon could blow up in your face.“Spending too...