BALTIMORE, MD—Finding love can be difficult and expensive, but living in the right place can make things easier due to a high population of singles, lots of activities, low dating costs and more. For example, Seattle is the best city for singles in the country, according to a new report by the personal-finance website WalletHub, which analyzed 35 key indicators across three dimensions: economics, fun/recreation, and dating opportunities. Las Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, and Austin, TX ranked as the next best cities.
Columbia, MD came in last place at No. 182.
“Seattle offers tons of date options, from iconic attractions like the Space Needle and the city’s music scene to outdoor activities at parks and beaches,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. “If you’re looking to meet a partner who’s very financially stable, Seattle has one of the highest median annual household incomes in the country, at $70,308 (adjusted for the cost of living), which is not too surprising given the city’s status as a tech hub.”
10 Best & Worst Cities for Singles
Best Cities for Singles | Worst Cities for Singles | |
1. Seattle, WA | 173. Winston-Salem, NC | |
2. Las Vegas, NV | 174. Little Rock, AR | |
3. Denver, CO | 175. Hialeah, FL | |
4. Atlanta, GA | 176. Jackson, MS | |
5. Austin, TX | 177. Dover, DE | |
6. Reno, NV | 178. Pearl City, HI | |
7. Tampa, FL | 179. Glendale, CA | |
8. Madison, WI | 180. Brownsville, TX | |
9. Tucson, AZ | 181. Warwick, RI | |
10. Portland, OR | 182. Columbia, MD |
Each of the top cities for singles has its own advantages. For example, second-place Las Vegas has a low crime rate and plentiful nightlife options. Denver offers great ways to stay active with its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, a large number of parks and fitness centers, and good walkability. Atlanta has a particularly large percentage of the population that’s single (over 69%), and in Austin, rent for a 1-bedroom apartment costs less than 20% of the median household income.
“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. In the current economy, a city that minimizes costs through inexpensive restaurants and venues, plus free things to do, is especially attractive,” said Happe.
Once you do find love, you also have to consider the things that are priceless, like good values and clear communication skills. A lot of relationships lack financial transparency, for example. In fact, WalletHub’s new Financial Secrets Survey found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans would break up or get a divorce over financial problems, and many people keep their partner in the dark about certain money issues.
There are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of finding a compatible partner, too.
Financial Secret Survey Key Stats
- Men are more tight-lipped. 76% more men have financial secrets than women.
- Baby boomers are most honest. 42% of millennials and 39% of Gen Zers have financial secrets, compared to only 13% of baby boomers.
- People are less truthful about what they earn and owe. Income and debt are the financial topics that people lie about the most, with 33% of people saying they’ve lied about each.
- Money issues can ruin relationships. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans say they would break up or get a divorce over financial problems.
- Partners aren’t entitled to info. More than 1 in 4 people think their partner doesn’t have the right to know how much money they have.
- Zero-tolerance policy. 17% of Americans say they would not forgive their partner if they lied about their financial situation.
The full report can be viewed online here at WalletHub.
Do you value local journalism? Support NottinghamMD.com today.