Do we find someone less attractive if they’re not financially stable? And how does paying for the first date influence the chance of having a second date? TradersBest surveyed 2,589 Americans nationwide on dating and finances. And guess what? Love definitely isn’t
all
you need when it comes to finding “the one”.
The research reveals:
- A significant 89% consider it crucial for their (future) partner to be financially stable.
- 32% of respondents find it important that their date picks up the tab on the first date. Among all generations, Gen X values this the most (36%). The highest percentage nationally is in Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada, and South Dakota (50%), whereas residents of Illinois care about this the least (10%).
- More than 1 in 10 end up paying for the first date more often than they’d like.
- 18% find it important to make more money than their (future) partner.
Who pays most often on a first date?
While 32% of respondents expect the other person to pay on a first date, it turns out it’s mostly men who pick up the tab in practice. A whopping 74% of male respondents say they usually pay on the first date. In contrast, only 2% of women do, with non-binary respondents more frequently opting to split the bill.
15% of millennials pay more often than they’d like
Playing the chivalrous date can sometimes cost a pretty penny. About 13% say they end up paying more often on a first date than they’d like. For millennials (1981-1996), this percentage is even higher at 15%, while baby boomers (1946-1964) experience this less frequently, at 8%.
Not paying? No second date
Whether you pay on the first date matters for what comes next. For 32% of people, if someone doesn’t pay on the first date, it makes a second date less likely. It’s a bigger deal for women (47%) than for men (11%). Non-binary people don’t seem to mind either way.
9 out of 10 want a financially stable partner
Besides a good sense of humor and a nice smile, someone’s financial situation is also crucial in choosing a partner. A convincing 89% find it important for a (future) partner to be financially stable. While baby boomers place slightly less value on this (84%), the percentage is highest among millennials and Gen Z, at 90%.
Nevertheless, we’re not completely open about our financial situation when getting to know someone. Out of all respondents, 13% prefer not to share too much about their financial situation during dates, and 2% even keep it completely to themselves.
18% consider it important to earn more than their partner
Is there some kind of competition when it comes to our dates’ salaries? It looks like it: 18% think it’s important to make more money than their (future) partner.
However, we prefer not to pool our incomes. A significant 59% opt for separate accounts in a long-term relationship, rather than a joint account. Younger generations seem to be leaning more towards this. While the percentage is 56% for baby boomers and Gen X, it grows to 60% for millennials and 63% for Gen Z.
Methodology
In January 2024, we conducted a survey with 2,589 Americans nationwide. 39% were male, 59% female, 1% non-binary, and 1% other. 66% of the respondents were in a relationship.
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