We Have Data! 46% of the adult population is unmarried, and it’s divided this way: never married, divorced, and widowed. According to the US Census Bureau, dating started to be progressively more expensive, and the prices of dining out and other date activities have increased over the years.
The process of finding the perfect partner can feel tough, especially when some cities don’t have a large, gender-balanced, single population.
The best cities for single people come with a large, gender-balanced single population. There is a wide variety of outdoor and indoor daytime activities and nighttime activities, plus reasonable prices for a date.
Let’s look at the best cities for singles:
1. Atlanta
This is a great city for single people, with an extremely high number of attractions, nightlife activities, and restaurants that give people variety when it comes to venues for dates. Among the best activities in the city, you can choose spas and social clubs.
Living in Atlanta offers you a deep dating pool to swim in. Why? Over 69% of the city’s population is single, formed by people who were never married, or who are divorced/widowed. This is the eighth-highest percentage in the country.
Moreover, Atlanta ranks as the 22nd most accessible city in the country, and it’s based on the share of the people who walk, take public transportation or bike. These alternatives make it easy to travel to dates. Another plus in Atlanta is the fact that it’s easy to find a partner who’s financially stable because the city has the 21st highest median annual household income, nearly $79,000.
2. Las Vegas
Let’s be clear: Las Vegas is not only suiting single people thanks to the bachelor’s parties. Maybe you didn’t know this about Las Vegas, but it’s the second-best city for singles to live in. It boasts some of the best and most diverse nightlife options in the country. It’s a good place considering it has so many music festivals, spas, shopping centers, social clubs, and even fitness centers.
You might think that people dating in Las Vegas need lots of money, but it actually ranks in the lower half of the country when it comes to most dating-related expenses. Even when it comes to getting your appearance ready, it’s relatively cheap. Las Vegas has the 6th lowest haircut costs; it is in 13th place for the lowest fitness club memberships and 45th for the lowest beauty salon costs out of more than 180 cities.
Las Vegas also has a smooth gender balance among single people, so if you find a match and fall in love in Sin City, you could even consider being hitched by an Elvis impersonator.
3. Seattle
Why is Seattle the third-best city for singles? It offers so many options when it comes to restaurants and attractions. Seattle stands out with social clubs, music festivals, shopping centers, and parks, making it a nice wide variety of great date locations.
More about Seattle? It’s one of the fastest-growing large cities in the US, owning the 8th-best score in the country on the Community Well-Being Index. This index measures everything: transportation, public health, food, and community resources. If you’re looking for a partner who earns well, Seattle has the 18th-highest median household income in the country, with over $80,000 per year.
It’s also easy to meet people virtually and offers the third-best mobile dating opportunities and 15th-best online dating opportunities in the country. When it comes to gender balance, Seattle ranks 32nd.
4. Pittsburgh, PA
We have a surprisingly great city for dating at all ages. The cost of living in Pittsburgh is low compared to cities such as NYC or DC, so it’s attractive for older singles who are looking to date without so much finances. There are many people established here, in their 40s and 50s, working in fields such as tech, finance, or medicine.
With a large population of older professionals, many people are single due to divorce, career focus, or other life circumstances. There is a strong sense of community here, so you can easily meet new people through networking, social events, or hobbies.
For older singles, they can enjoy a laid-back, yet social dating scene, while the city has everything, from wine bars to high-end restaurants. Pittsburgh’s cultural experience is impressive with opportunities such as symphonies, art museums, and theaters. For outdoor lovers, they can enjoy a scenic walk along the Three Rivers and even visit the countryside for a winery date.
Due to major universities like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, the dating scene is fresh and active, full of people looking for all kinds of relationships.
5. Tampa, FL
Comparing it to Miami, Tampa has a lower cost of living, so you can see it as the spot where sunshine meets social life. It’s a city with many job opportunities, and it’s super affordable when it comes to going out. Dating in your 40s and 50s is pretty attractive here, due to Florida’s tax benefits that attract many mid-career professionals and retirees.
With an economy that’s booming, some people decide to move here for a fresh start in both work and relationships. This makes the dating pool dynamic and fresh.
When it comes to fun and recreation, there is something for any age group: opportunities for classy dates, dancing, rooftop cocktails with sunset views, and boating, golfing, or weekend getaways for outdoor lovers.
People don’t think often about how unique each dating scene is in each city. The cost and budget will play a role, and there are many things to consider when you think about what makes a city good as a dating scene.
Now let’s see the cities with the worst dating scenes.
1. Brownsville, TX
Brownsville is a city with a high poverty rate, making dating trickier because of financial struggles that can limit both self-confidence and the ability to go out on dates.
When it comes to the city’s population, it skews younger and very family-oriented individuals, meaning there is a smaller pool of single adults dating. With a lower population density compared to big Texas cities, there are even fewer chances for spontaneous social interactions.
Even if Brownsville has some beautiful nature spots and vivid nightlife and cultural activities, it falls short of a vibrant dating scene with fun and engaging ideas.
2. Port St. Lucie, FL
While Port St. Lucie is not a struggling city, it’s a place where people tend to settle down rather than build a dating life. The cost of living is pretty high, and job opportunities are not so diverse.
The city is known to be a retirement hotspot, so it’s limiting for the youngest population, since many people move here to settle, rather than to explore dating, making the single scene weaker.
The nightlife is almost nonexistent here, and while you can go to the beach, there are not so many people to meet spontaneously.
3. Pearl City, HI
Pearl City is located near Honolulu, facing the same sky-high cost of living and making it harder for adults to afford social activities and dating.
While many people live in this suburban area, they often commute elsewhere for work and entertainment, leading to fewer organic ways to meet new people. Plus, you get Hawaii’s transient population, meaning some people are not really looking for long-term relationships.
Hawaii as a whole is amazing, but Pear City doesn’t have great nightlife or trendy social spots. However, if you love outdoor activities, there are many things to do, but if you prefer socializing in bars or clubs, you don’t have so many options.
None of these cities are impossible for dating, but it’s harder to meet new people, find fun things to do as a couple, and afford regular dates.
Plus, if you run out of ideas, go get these Fun and Romantic Scratch-Off Date Idea Cards from Amazon. You’ll keep it smooth and engaging between you and your love interest.
Read next: 4 Things Younger Men Love About Older Women
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