The best and worst cities for singles to find love — find out where NYC ranks
If you’re single and struggling to find a partner, where you live could be a factor.
A new report from personal finance website WalletHub has revealed the best and worst cities for singles, comparing more than 182 US cities across 35 key indicators of dating-friendliness.
According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 47% of the adult population is unmarried (never married, divorced or widowed) — and research has shown that 57% of single adults aren’t interested in a relationship or casual dating right now.
“Where you live can have a big impact on your love life — if a city has a high population of singles and is packed with activities that you’ll enjoy, then you’ll have a better chance to meet someone with similar interests and can go on higher-quality dates,” Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub, said in a news release.
“In the current economy, a city that minimizes costs through inexpensive restaurants and venues, plus free things to do, is especially attractive.”
WalletHub analyzed data set ranges from the single share of the population to the number of online dating opportunities and the average price for a two-person meal.
Overall, Seattle, WA, was named the best city for singles, with many options to meet others or go on a date including attractions, restaurants, social clubs and other venues, such as the Space Needle, parks and beaches.
While you’ll probably meet a partner with a good income in Seattle — the highest median annual household income is $70,308, adjusted for the cost of living — it’s not close to one of the cheapest cities, so dates and activities will cost more than other cities.
The dating scene is different and unique from city to city, and each one was analyzed based on three key dimensions: 1) economics, 2) fun and recreation and 3) dating opportunities.
Perhaps surprisingly, New York City didn’t make it anywhere near the top of the list.
Despite the large population in Manhattan and all the rom-coms set in the city, the city that never sleeps was ranked no. 144 out of 182 overall.
NYC came in dead last in economic rankings, and 167 for dating opportunities. On the other hand, it ranked at no. 3 for fun & recreation.
Top 10 cities for singles:
- Seattle, WA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Denver, CO 175
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Reno, NV
- Tampa, FL
- Madison, WI
- Tucson, AZ
- Portland, OR
Worst 10 cities for singles:
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Little Rock, AR
- Hialeah, FL
- Jackson, MS
- Dover, DE
- Pearl City, HI
- Glendale, CA
- Brownsville, TX
- Warwick, RI
- Columbia, MD