Zelle report: Rising costs impact Gen Z and Millennial dating habits

A new report from payment service Zelle, titled the ‘Economics of Dating Report’, reveals that the rising cost of living is significantly impacting the romantic lives of Gen Z and Millennials. According to a survey of 1,800 adults, 84 percent of active daters stated that increasing costs have influenced their dating behavior.

Key findings indicate that 32 percent of respondents are going on fewer dates, while 11 percent have stopped dating entirely due to financial constraints. To manage expenses, many are shifting toward more economical options: 40 percent choose less expensive activities, 38 percent prefer frequent low-cost dates over occasional expensive ones, and 37 percent suggest free activities.

Financial transparency and frugality are increasingly viewed as positive traits. Approximately 38 percent of respondents judged a partner positively for planning an affordable, thoughtful date, compared to 23 percent who favored extravagant outings. Conversely, financial ‘red flags’ include expecting a partner to pay for everything or complaining about prices, which 47 percent of participants noted as a deterrent.