A recent survey by Talker Research, commissioned by the banking platform Chime and covering 2,000 single or casually dating Americans, reveals a generational shift toward financial openness in modern dating alongside some major social and dating-related pain points. Younger groups – Gen Z and Millennials – are far more comfortable discussing income than Baby Boomers: around half of them find honesty about money attractive, compared to just 23% of Boomers.
That said, financial pressures remain prevalent. Some Gen Z daters are notably attracted to lavish spending – 34%, compared to just 16% of those older than them. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of Gen Z men report feeling compelled to project wealth even when they don’t have it. Money ranks among the top three most uncomfortable topics on dates, just behind sex and relationship history.
These findings come amid broader economic strain. A Bank of America survey shows many Gen Z adults are dialling back on dating expenses: over half spend nothing monthly, while those who do typically stay under $100. Despite this, many are also deliberately not relying on family support to fund their dates – they’re independent, even if it means having to cut back on expenses related to finding a partner.
Taken together, the data point to a generation redefining dating norms: financial transparency, shared responsibility, and pragmatism are replacing tradition and bravado. However, many people are also hesitant to actually discuss money on dates, especially given that many of them are deliberately aiming for lower costs when meeting potential matches.
Notably, at least 31% of the people surveyed have cancelled dates due to financial reasons, meaning that this trend purely going to lead to zero-cost dates. Instead, it may lead to singles being more selective with when and how they can arrange dates – and apps or services that make affordable dating options more accessible are likely to see a lot more activity as users focus more on managing their date budgets.
