Here’s How Expensive Dating Actually Is Now In Iowa And Illinois

There are a lot of reasons to stay single.

Whether you're 20, 30, or 40, you don't have to be on the market long these days to figure out that it sucks. Not only are dating apps giving people more of an outlet to lie on, but it's expensive to go out.

So if you're single (also against your will), here are some date prices that put into perspective how pricey playing the field can get.

Recent stats from Forbes show that the average cost of dating per month is $213, while active daters are spending around $300.

A Chicago-based study found that the general American adult (18+) spends an average of $2,279 per year on dates, either in a relationship or not.

Older stats (2023) show that Chicago was one of the most expensive cities to go on a date, costing about $119 per date ranking 13th in the country, taking into consideration the following categories:

• 2 rideshare trips
• Basic dinner for 2
• Tip (20%)
• 2 movie tickets
• 2 post-date drinks

Of course, that's assuming the date went well.

Compare that number to what Iowa's average date cost was in 2021: $97.44.

There's no way that number has gone down. At all. Cost is yet another reason that something like coffee dates are a good first option.

And in a not-surprising move, most singles say they want to wait to spend a lot of money on a date until they're out of the situationship phase, but even that doesn't lessen the price tag much. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we know how expensive date nights get then so go ahead and start planning/saving now!