Best & Worst Cities for Singles in 2024 (2024)

Finding love can be tough. While nearly 47% of the U.S. adult population is unmarried (never married, divorced, or widowed), according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 57% of single adults aren’t interested in a relationship or casual dating right now.

Finances are often a subject of debate within relationships, especially when it comes to sharing details about balances and transactions with a significant other. For more insight on how Americans share their financial information in a relationship, check out WalletHub’s Financial Secrets Survey.

To help America’s singles find love, WalletHub compared more than 182 U.S. cities across 35 key indicators of dating-friendliness. Our data set ranges from the share of the population that is single to the number of online dating opportunities to the average price for a two-person meal.

“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.”

Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst

Table of Contents

Main FindingsIn-Depth Look at the Best Cities for SinglesAsk the ExpertsMethodology

Main Findings

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Best Cities for Singles

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Economics Rank	Fun & Recreation Rank	Dating Opportunities Rank
1	Seattle, WA	63.88	174	5	3
2	Las Vegas, NV	63.64	115	1	45
3	Denver, CO	61.88	128	19	6
4	Atlanta, GA	61.29	140	10	19
5	Austin, TX	60.31	120	17	21
6	Reno, NV	60.19	51	35	10
7	Tampa, FL	60.17	103	13	46
8	Madison, WI	60.02	94	49	2
9	Tucson, AZ	59.97	75	21	31
10	Portland, OR	59.56	170	15	13
11	Rapid City, SD	59.50	9	110	5
12	San Francisco, CA	59.27	177	4	32
13	Cincinnati, OH	59.17	67	25	34
14	Juneau, AK	58.87	113	176	1
15	San Diego, CA	58.85	172	9	28
16	Minneapolis, MN	58.72	118	32	8
17	Boise, ID	58.70	48	39	17
18	Pittsburgh, PA	58.60	83	24	36
19	Honolulu, HI	58.55	161	7	73
20	Portland, ME	58.23	143	30	14
21	Burlington, VT	57.88	99	82	4
22	Chicago, IL	57.80	168	8	72
23	Orlando, FL	57.76	158	2	108
24	Fargo, ND	57.47	1	161	24
25	Colorado Springs, CO	57.45	29	34	54
26	Phoenix, AZ	57.29	77	37	27
27	Columbia, SC	57.12	39	61	26
28	St. Louis, MO	56.94	78	28	55
29	Los Angeles, CA	56.66	176	11	39
30	Miami, FL	56.25	180	6	65
31	Lincoln, NE	56.13	40	86	22
32	West Valley City, UT	55.49	5	169	12
33	Salt Lake City, UT	55.22	53	53	63
34	Columbus, OH	55.06	54	42	77
35	Missoula, MT	55.05	60	111	23
36	Cedar Rapids, IA	54.94	16	157	29
37	Omaha, NE	54.91	21	51	91
38	Tempe, AZ	54.90	37	55	83
39	Las Cruces, NM	54.84	64	107	9
40	Scottsdale, AZ	54.57	102	16	135
41	Richmond, VA	54.54	87	40	68
42	Fontana, CA	54.34	114	91	49
43	Sioux Falls, SD	54.29	6	156	41
44	Spokane, WA	54.19	101	96	25
45	Albuquerque, NM	54.03	110	36	67
46	Rochester, NY	53.96	147	80	18
46	Casper, WY	53.96	27	133	42
48	Knoxville, TN	53.89	41	83	81
49	Charleston, SC	53.85	50	20	151
50	Jersey City, NJ	53.76	112	68	38
51	Billings, MT	53.55	24	136	52
52	Bismarck, ND	53.55	2	166	86
53	Chandler, AZ	53.45	13	71	98
54	Salem, OR	53.30	119	148	7
55	Sacramento, CA	53.29	145	27	88
56	Fort Lauderdale, FL	53.25	163	22	95
57	New Orleans, LA	53.16	173	14	107
58	St. Paul, MN	53.06	93	88	44
59	Boston, MA	53.00	181	18	47
60	Houston, TX	52.95	144	31	82
61	Wichita, KS	52.90	14	142	64
62	Grand Rapids, MI	52.83	74	79	89
63	St. Petersburg, FL	52.75	65	29	139
64	Cleveland, OH	52.70	146	60	35
65	Tacoma, WA	52.62	141	127	20
66	Toledo, OH	52.62	82	101	51
67	Buffalo, NY	52.60	132	62	48
68	Worcester, MA	52.53	107	125	33
69	Huntington Beach, CA	52.50	124	57	76
70	Fayetteville, NC	52.48	100	139	30
71	Washington, DC	52.39	179	12	100
72	Des Moines, IA	52.34	28	141	58
73	Wilmington, DE	52.25	135	97	11
74	Anchorage, AK	52.21	127	64	56
75	Manchester, NH	52.01	167	117	15
76	Oklahoma City, OK	52.00	17	72	121
77	Lubbock, TX	51.93	3	149	93
78	Tallahassee, FL	51.88	30	121	94
79	Cheyenne, WY	51.87	43	170	50
80	Raleigh, NC	51.85	71	44	115
81	Springfield, MO	51.75	4	130	110
82	Philadelphia, PA	51.75	154	23	120
83	Lexington-Fayette, KY	51.74	92	85	70
84	Glendale, AZ	51.74	52	93	90
85	El Paso, TX	51.72	56	50	122
86	San Jose, CA	51.70	160	47	57
87	San Antonio, TX	51.65	97	45	104
88	Nashville, TN	51.63	131	26	127
89	Nampa, ID	51.34	79	137	37
90	Ontario, CA	51.32	133	128	40
91	Mesa, AZ	51.30	31	63	111
92	New Haven, CT	51.26	125	115	53
93	San Bernardino, CA	51.14	157	109	43
94	Milwaukee, WI	51.08	130	74	69
95	Norfolk, VA	50.92	106	94	66
96	Modesto, CA	50.88	45	105	103
97	Corpus Christi, TX	50.70	76	116	85
98	Fresno, CA	50.69	89	99	84
99	Aurora, CO	50.66	46	132	80
100	Providence, RI	50.63	151	73	79
101	Virginia Beach, VA	50.57	63	46	143
102	Long Beach, CA	50.55	171	33	87
103	Nashua, NH	50.54	137	123	16
104	Dallas, TX	50.51	166	38	92
105	Tulsa, OK	50.40	22	83	134
106	Huntsville, AL	50.34	15	120	133
107	Santa Ana, CA	50.27	142	90	59
108	Irving, TX	50.14	73	155	62
109	Indianapolis, IN	50.07	47	70	136
110	Henderson, NV	50.05	34	67	132
111	Jacksonville, FL	49.97	59	58	142
112	Akron, OH	49.86	42	153	101
113	Riverside, CA	49.84	150	78	75
114	Louisville, KY	49.81	80	52	138
115	Gilbert, AZ	49.76	18	92	128
116	Garden Grove, CA	49.71	136	104	96
117	Fort Worth, TX	49.59	35	54	150
118	Oceanside, CA	49.39	139	66	102
119	North Las Vegas, NV	49.33	95	143	71
120	Oxnard, CA	49.21	155	122	60
121	Stockton, CA	49.19	58	138	105
122	Fort Wayne, IN	49.17	23	124	131
123	Detroit, MI	49.16	165	81	61
124	Amarillo, TX	49.09	7	147	147
125	Kansas City, MO	49.05	72	76	137
126	Baton Rouge, LA	49.00	96	89	117
127	Augusta, GA	48.88	117	181	74
128	Charlotte, NC	48.75	90	48	149
129	Vancouver, WA	48.18	149	113	99
130	Birmingham, AL	48.12	108	100	125
131	Overland Park, KS	48.04	36	114	144
132	Baltimore, MD	48.02	164	43	126
133	Bakersfield, CA	48.01	85	87	141
134	Moreno Valley, CA	47.78	152	160	78
135	Irvine, CA	47.73	156	59	118
136	Anaheim, CA	47.41	109	69	145
137	Gulfport, MS	47.25	86	172	106
138	Columbus, GA	47.08	61	173	123
139	Oakland, CA	47.08	175	41	114
140	Charleston, WV	47.06	66	179	112
141	Mobile, AL	46.97	32	134	153
142	Chula Vista, CA	46.93	169	103	97
143	Huntington, WV	46.91	25	167	140
144	New York, NY	46.82	182	3	167
145	Aurora, IL	46.64	123	140	116
146	Plano, TX	46.31	11	77	174
147	Newark, NJ	46.13	134	108	129
148	Arlington, TX	46.10	44	112	161
149	Chattanooga, TN	45.87	62	102	166
150	Cape Coral, FL	45.73	55	95	160
151	Lewiston, ME	45.66	111	159	109
152	Fremont, CA	45.46	129	98	146
153	Port St. Lucie, FL	45.35	8	165	163
154	Laredo, TX	45.33	10	150	159
155	Santa Clarita, CA	45.30	159	129	113
156	Newport News, VA	45.28	57	152	154
157	Fort Smith, AR	45.19	38	180	119
158	Durham, NC	44.96	20	135	172
159	Santa Rosa, CA	44.70	178	65	130
160	Garland, TX	44.68	49	151	155
161	Greensboro, NC	44.68	70	75	177
162	Pembroke Pines, FL	44.34	105	118	158
163	Shreveport, LA	44.20	88	168	156
164	South Burlington, VT	43.94	26	175	157
165	Memphis, TN	43.89	81	146	165
166	Chesapeake, VA	43.70	69	144	162
167	Peoria, AZ	43.29	19	119	178
168	Bridgeport, CT	43.22	148	158	124
169	Montgomery, AL	43.09	33	171	171
170	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	42.51	126	106	170
171	Grand Prairie, TX	42.34	84	154	168
172	Yonkers, NY	42.23	121	145	169
173	Winston-Salem, NC	41.86	104	126	176
174	Little Rock, AR	41.77	91	177	173
175	Hialeah, FL	41.64	153	131	164
176	Jackson, MS	41.21	98	174	175
177	Dover, DE	41.21	122	178	152
178	Pearl City, HI	41.11	138	182	148
179	Glendale, CA	40.34	162	56	181
180	Brownsville, TX	39.62	12	162	182
181	Warwick, RI	38.53	68	164	180
182	Columbia, MD	38.32	116	163	179

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

In-Depth Look at the Best Cities for Singles

Seattle, WA

Seattle is the best city overall for singles, offering tons of options when it comes to attractions, restaurants, social clubs and other venues for meeting singles or having a date. It is known for balancing bustling city attractions like the Space Needle and its music scene with plenty of outdoor activities like parks and beaches.

Seattle is one of the fastest-growing large cities in the U.S., and it scores very well on the “Community Well-Being Index,” which measures everything from public health and transportation to access to food and other key community resources. And if you’re looking to meet a partner who’s a good earner, Seattle has one of the highest median annual household incomes in the country, at $70,308 (adjusted for the cost of living). The city’s status as a tech hub helps fuel high local incomes and also leads to plenty of brainiacs in the dating pool.

Even though Seattle is the best city for singles overall, it’s far from the cheapest, with date activities like dining out or going to a movie costing more than in many other cities.

Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas isn’t just for bachelor parties - it’s also the second-best city for singles to live in, boasting some of the best and most diverse nightlife options in the country as well as a pretty low crime rate relative to other cities. The most prominent activities for dating in Las Vegas tend to be those that draw large crowds - for example, the city has the second-most music festivals among the cities studied. It has the fifth-most attractions overall, too.

For those who like to drink, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that Las Vegas has one of the lowest average beer prices in the U.S. One good date idea is a trip to the theater - the price of two tickets is among the lowest in the nation.

If you fall in love with the city as much as with your partner, maybe you’ll even get hitched by an Elvis impersonator.

Denver, CO

The third-best city for singles in the U.S. is Denver, the Mile High City, which is a great option for singles looking for a partner who’s fit. The city is known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, but it also offers plenty of ways to stay in shape within its limits, with a large number of parks and fitness centers, plus good walkability.

Denver is a good city for online and mobile dating, with over 90% of the population having a broadband internet connection and a smartphone. Dating apps gained a boost in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain a common way for singles to find love. While breathing in the fresh mountain air in Denver, you might just find someone who takes your breath away.

% of Singles

Highest

1. Burlington, VT
2. Detroit, MI
3. Cleveland, OH
4. New Haven, CT
5. Rochester, NY

Lowest

178. Chesapeake, VA
179. Peoria, AZ
180. Plano, TX
181. Gilbert, AZ
182. Fremont, CA

Best City vs. Worst City: 2x Difference

Burlington, VT vs. Fremont, CA

Ask the Experts

The dating scene in each city is unique. In every situation, cost and budget will play a key role in your dating experience. We therefore turned to a panel of experts for advice on money, what makes a good city for singles and how to draw singles to those areas. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

With the rise of dating apps and therefore dates, what financial advice do you have targeted to singles on a budget?
What should singles be looking for when choosing a city?
Do you think virtual dating is a viable option for single people to save money and safely enjoy dating at the same time?
When evaluating the best cities for singles, what are the top five indicators?
Should local authorities work to make cities more attractive to singles? If so, how?

Ask the Experts

Jennie Rosier
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, School of Communication Studies – James Madison University
Read More

Joseph Schwartz
Ph.D. – Teaching Professor, Department of Communication Studies – Northeastern University
Read More

Alexandra E. Black
Ph.D. - Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor, Psychology Department – University of Pittsburgh
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for singles, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Economics, 2) Fun & Recreation and 3) Dating Opportunities.

We evaluated those dimensions using 35 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for singles. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

Economics – Total Points: 25

Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average Beer & Wine Price: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average co*cktail Price: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average Price for Two-Person Meal: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average price of a basic two-person dinner in a neighborhood pub.
Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average Price for Two Tickets to the Theater: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Taxi-Fare Cost: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Haircut Costs: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average Price per Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Median Annual Household Income: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Note: This metric was measured using the rent of a one-bedroom apartment (adjusted by the median annual household income).
Job Growth Rate: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index Score: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, which is a comprehensive measure that evaluates health risk across ten domains, five that represent individual well-being and five that contextualize the social determinants of health.

Fun & Recreation – Total Points: 25

Number of Attractions: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, museums, cultural performances and zoos.
Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Nightlife Options per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Fitness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Social Clubs per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Presence of Music Festivals: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence of music festivals in each city. The cities that have music festivals receive 1, the others receive 0. In case a city has more than one music festival, it receives the exact number of music festivals it hosts.
City Accessibility: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Walkability: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Weather: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub “” ranking.
Safety: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)

Dating Opportunities – Total Points: 50

Share of Single Population: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Singles Gender Balance: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Online Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of households with a broadband connection.
Mobile Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults who own a smartphone.
Google Search Traffic for the Term “Tinder”: Double Weight (~12.50 Points)
Note: This metric was used as a proxy for the cities that search Tinder the most.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Council for Community and Economic Research, Numbeo, Esri's Updated Demographics - 2023 estimates (Market Potential: GfK MRI), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Trust for Public Land, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Walk Score, Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, Expatistan, Google Trends, Eventbrite, Music Festival Wizard and WalletHub research.

Supporting Video Files:

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