Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Besides your looks, personality, interests and employment status, your location can influence your odds of finding a romantic partner. Everyone has different priorities when searching for love, but certain places simply make dating easier than others.

In states with low cost of living, for instance, your income might stretch a lot further, which means cheaper or more frequent dates. If you’re more financially stable, though, you might appreciate a state with more attractions to find new experiences for both you and your potential other half. But dating is also a numbers game, so a state with a higher proportion of single adults automatically improves your prospects.

Which states combine all of those qualities and more? To answer that question, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 27 key indicators of dating-friendliness. Our data set ranges from share of single adults to movie costs to nightlife options per capita. Read on to see the complete ranking, more insight from a panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

To see how your zip code affects your chances of finding love, check out WalletHub’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles report.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/31667/geochart-single-states.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2nNJ41t>  

Best & Worst States for Singles

Overall Rank (1=Best)	State	Total Score	‘Dating Opportunities’ Rank	‘Dating Economics’ Rank	‘Romance & Fun’ Rank
1	California	66.75	1	49	2
2	Florida	65.09	3	35	3
3	New York	64.16	2	50	1
4	Texas	63.35	6	19	5
5	Pennsylvania	59.87	7	34	4
6	Wisconsin	59.23	19	9	6
7	Massachusetts	58.89	4	31	11
8	Illinois	58.88	5	40	8
9	Ohio	58.07	11	22	7
10	Arizona	55.83	10	12	24
11	Washington	55.31	12	24	10
12	Michigan	55.11	9	23	14
13	Colorado	54.53	23	7	20
14	New Jersey	54.48	8	33	12
15	Minnesota	54.05	27	8	17
16	Missouri	51.74	29	15	18
17	Georgia	51.68	14	37	15
18	Virginia	51.53	17	17	28
19	Oregon	50.62	18	47	9
20	Connecticut	50.60	15	46	13
21	North Carolina	50.37	24	26	19
22	Indiana	50.13	31	14	22
23	Utah	48.32	36	2	40
24	Hawaii	48.23	26	18	39
25	Rhode Island	47.42	16	43	31
26	Nebraska	47.28	40	5	26
27	New Hampshire	47.24	32	16	34
28	Iowa	46.90	43	4	23
29	Maine	46.68	33	28	21
30	Nevada	46.65	20	36	37
31	Maryland	46.60	13	44	38
32	Tennessee	46.59	34	27	16
33	Louisiana	46.54	25	39	29
34	Vermont	46.49	28	30	32
35	Delaware	46.37	21	21	50
36	Montana	45.31	41	10	25
37	South Dakota	43.75	49	1	30
38	Idaho	43.54	44	6	35
39	Alaska	42.51	22	48	48
40	South Carolina	42.33	38	25	33
41	Oklahoma	42.21	39	20	36
42	Kansas	41.69	42	13	42
43	Wyoming	41.17	45	11	44
44	New Mexico	40.36	30	41	49
45	North Dakota	39.97	50	3	41
46	Kentucky	39.42	46	32	27
47	Mississippi	39.26	35	42	46
48	Alabama	38.72	37	38	45
49	West Virginia	34.72	47	45	43
50	Arkansas	34.47	48	29	47

   

Ask the Experts

Your marital status can affect, among many things, where you choose to live and how you spend your money. For additional insight on such topics, we turned to a panel of experts for their thoughts on the following key questions: Your marital status can affect, among many things, where you choose to live and how you spend your money. For additional insight on such topics, we asked a panel of experts for their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What should singles look for when choosing where to live?
2. When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?
3. What tips do you have for saving money when dating?
4. Should local authorities work to make states more attractive to single professionals? If so, how?

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• Deborah S. Carr Professor of Sociology at Boston University
• Brian Bentel Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Criminology & Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
• Omri Gillath Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kansas
• Lydia DeFlorio Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Education at the University of Nevada at Reno

Deborah S. Carr Professor of Sociology at Boston University

What should singles be looking for when choosing where to live?

The sheer number of other singles probably shouldn’t be the main deciding factor when choosing where to live. Things like having a job in one’s field, being able to afford quality housing, and having at least some friends are keys to being happy. Singles should think about the activities they enjoy most, and then find a city that is a good match on that dimension. The number of nightclubs in a city may not be of interest to a non-drinker. I would suggest doing some research and checking out the availability of the activities one enjoys most, whether running clubs, book groups, religious congregations, or team sports, as a way to figure out a good “fit.” Commuting patterns also are important -- can you easily get from home to work, and from home to wherever your potential date may live? Many people will be reluctant to travel much more than a half-hour for a date that may not be a “sure thing.”

When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?

Money is the one topic that most people are skittish discussing -- even more so than discussing sex. Once a couple is seriously thinking about marriage or living together, they absolutely should discuss whether they have major debt or a poor credit score. This will affect a couple’s ability to secure a home loan, so it’s absolutely fair game for conversation. State laws also differ regarding how one partner’s debt affects the other’s, so couples with debt should know whether their state observes common law or community property laws. Even before a couple is very serious, however, they may want to gingerly raise these issues at moments that make sense, like when making a pricy purchase such as airline tickets for a vacation. Opening the door to the smaller conversations makes it easier to broach the really serious topics.

What tips do you have for saving money when dating?

Most cities and small towns have plenty of fun things to do that cost very little money or are free. These are often the best ways to get to know a person. Sitting in a theater or dining at a fancy restaurant don’t always provide opportunities for meaningful conversation. Hiking at a park, biking on local bike trails, going to game night or trivia night at the bar, visiting an art gallery or street fair, or cooking a meal at home together are all ways to get to know your date (and to get acquainted with your city) while costing very little money. Local colleges often have free lectures and performances open to the community. Of course, only go on a hike or isolated activity if you fully trust and feel safe with your date.

Should local authorities work to make states more attractive to single professionals? If so, how?

The most important (though least sexy) is affordable housing. Married and cohabiting people can split the rent or mortgage, although single people are on their own -- unless they have roommates. Investments in public parks, community events and spaces like theaters and free concerts, small business start-ups, opportunities for participating in local politics, and other perks that appeal to young professionals are also key. I would even suggest that good public transit may be a draw – many young people prefer not to drive on their own, and things like carpooling or taking a bus or train are ways to meet new people. The guy sitting next to you on the commuter rail each morning may not be single, but his best friend might be. Anything that gets people out of their homes and into public spaces, meeting and conversing with others, will help single people to become integrated into their communities and ideally, find their true love.

Brian Bentel Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Criminology & Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater

What should singles be looking for when choosing where to live?

The advantage of being single is that you've yet to form bonds of marriage/partnership/children that might limit your choice of residence. But for those planning to form such bonds -- and statistically, that's still most Americans -- flexibility in residence is a good plan. If homeownership is the goal, choosing a region, city, or neighborhood where homes are in demand is a good strategy. That way, if a new job, partner, or family addition makes your current home less suitable, selling won't be a problem.

Naturally, foremost on the minds of single adults, will be the availability of potential partners. Age demographics and other information about a potential area of residence are more readily available in the digital age. Some areas are more popular for married families or retirees, some have an imbalanced sex ratio (too many or too few men per women), and some are too expensive. A few hours of research can go a long way towards preventing big problems.

Finally, singles should consider avoiding long work commutes. A common mistake is to live where the dating scene is appealing, but is 90 minutes from work. Remember that adding hours to your work day in this manner saps time and energy that could be enjoyed spending time with potential partners. Driving an hour to make a date once or twice a week makes more sense.

When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?

A potential partner's financial situation becomes more pertinent as the relationship becomes more serious and potentially long-term. Don't feel bad about being concerned about this. How a partner makes financial choices tells you about their ability to plan, delay gratification, and think rationally. It also presages your financial future if you make a romantic commitment. While asking for a credit score may kill the mood, an important purpose of dating is to get to know someone well enough to decide whether they are for you. Early on in the relationship, make your values clear. While, "What are your total debts and assets?" may seem over the top, there's nothing wrong with starting a conversation and finding out a few details. "I'm very good managing my finances and that's important to me in a partner" is an honest statement, not a credit check.

What tips do you have for saving money when dating?

A good friend of mine went through a tough financial period and expressed anxiety about communicating this with dates. She didn't want to be a moocher, but couldn't afford to pick up the check or pay her way on costly outings. She's a responsible person who managed her situation well until it improved, and has many fine qualities that make her an attractive partner. My advice was to be honest about that financial situation upfront, so that she could enjoy dates, anxiety-free.

Wise people recognize that the quality of a relationship doesn't depend on how much money anyone spends. The best dates are intrinsically motivated: we spend time with someone because we love to spend time with them. One of the best dates I had involved sitting in the car in the rain, talking because the place we planned to go was closed.

Dinner and a movie is still a pretty standard evening out in America, but also pretty uncreative. Taking turns cooking each other meals is a great option once you're comfortable being out of the public eye. The internet is a great resource for finding interesting, cheap, and easy recipes. Taking walks and going for drives may work better than bike riding, which tends to make talking difficult. Most cities have a variety of free or affordable spots to visit, including arboretums, botanical gardens, museums, and parks. I don't know anyone who doesn't find a well-prepared picnic romantic.

Restaurants don't have to be expensive to be interesting, and anyone paying attention can find discount days for movie theatres and similar venues. Also look for live music without a cover charge, and concerts or talks presented free to the public. Taking the time to look for date ideas that are both fun and affordable tells your date that you're creative and resourceful.

Omri Gillath Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kansas

What should singles be looking for when choosing where to live?

I think, like with everything else in life, it depends on what they want. If stopping being single is a top priority for them, they should look for a place that would provide them with dating opportunities (and dating pool that would fit their preferences, i.e., a university/college town would have different characteristics than a big metropolitan). If finding a mate is not a top priority (and apparently, in 2017, people were totally happy being single, per CNN), then their single status shouldn’t affect their choices.

When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?

I think talking about money is one of the hardest conversations to have, however, once things are getting more serious (i.e., committed relationship), this conversation is a must. If you’re about to share financial risks and benefits with someone else, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. I’m a big believer in open communication, as the way to success in close relationships. So, money and finances are just one other thing partners should feel comfortable discussing.

What tips do you have for saving money when dating?

Don’t try too hard to impress, and don’t spend over your capabilities. If the only way to get your potential mate’s attention and affection is via material goods, you might want to reconsider your choices.

Should local authorities work to make states more attractive to single professionals? If so, how?

If they want to attract singles, then sure, they can do that -- for example, by creating more living opportunities for singles (e.g., one-bedroom apartments) or encouraging community activities for singles.

Lydia DeFlorio Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Education at the University of Nevada at Reno

What should singles be looking for when choosing where to live?

Whether not-yet-coupled or no-longer-coupled, the opportunity for self-sufficiency is key. Factors such as career opportunities and cost of living certainly impact the degree to which one can comfortably afford everything from housing to leisure activities. Also important are opportunities to meet others with shared interests or values, for friendship or romance. For some, these opportunities may be found in the workplace, but for many, such relationships are formed via places of worship, taking classes, or participation in community activities. Identifying opportunities for developing social networks ahead of time may help one decide whether or not a certain city or community is a good match.

When, if ever, is it appropriate to ask someone you are dating about their finances, including their credit score and amount of debt?

It depends. If the purpose of dating is anything other than searching for a spouse (e.g., to have fun), then it is probably not appropriate, or even important, to ask about finances. From a practical perspective, what does it matter since there is no intention of ever combining them? However, if both parties are open to the possibility of a serious relationship, then it becomes a matter of whether and to what degree each person values financial responsibility. When we date for the purpose of finding a spouse, most of us have a list of qualities we demand in a mate, would like in a mate, and would not tolerate in a mate. Then, there are the qualities that are just not important to us. If financial responsibility is a personal deal-breaker, then it is probably wise to have that conversation earlier in the dating relationship.

What tips do you have for saving money when dating?

The most obvious suggestion would be to do things that are inexpensive or free, such as hiking or going on picnics. If you happen to live near a university, check out their events calendar for things to do. From sporting events, to theater, to art exhibitions, to lectures, many university-sponsored events are both affordable and open to the public. For those with more expensive or diverse tastes, apps such as Groupon are great for getting deals on experiences that are otherwise more expensive.

Should local authorities work to make states more attractive to single professionals? If so, how?

I would say yes. We are experiencing a steady increase in the number of single adults, largely because more young adults are postponing marriage until after they have finished their education, have begun to establish their careers, and have achieved some sense of financial independence. Thus, it follows that making states more attractive to single professionals would have the net effect of creating a more educated, financially-stable workforce, which in turn, would likely have positive ripple effects on everything from industry to K-12 educational achievement.

In regards to what might make states more attractive to single professionals, certainly career opportunities, the cost of living, and the availability of things to do and places to meet like-minded others are important. However, I would caution local authorities or planners against focusing exclusively on the single professional as though it were a fixed demographic. Statistically, the large majority will not be single forever, and either already have children or desire children in the relatively near future. Strategies such as promoting family-friendly policies in the workplace, ensuring the availability of affordable and high-quality child care, and investing in schools, parks, and other community resources will likely go far in making the state a desired final destination for the single professional, as opposed to simply a layover on their way to family life.

Methodology

In order to identify the best and worst states for singles, WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Dating Economics, 2) Dating Opportunities and 3) Romance & Fun.

We evaluated those dimensions using 27 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for singles who are actively dating. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the city level only, and in such cases we calculated a weighted average based on the size of the city population. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), we used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across states.

We then determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Dating Opportunities – Total Points: 50

• Share of Single Adults: Double Weight (~11.11 Points)
• Gender Balance of Singles: Double Weight (~11.11 Points)Note: This metric measures the ratio of single women to single men.
• Online-Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)Note: This metric was measured using the percentage of households with a broadband Internet connection.
• Mobile-Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)Note: This metric was measured using the percentage of adults who own a smartphone.
• Online-Dating Participation: Double Weight (~11.11 Points)
• Openness to Relationships: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Attachment Avoidance Score, which comes from a survey of 127,000 adults who answered questions about fear of abandonment and discomfort with intimacy.

Dating Economics – Total Points: 25

• Average Beer & Wine Price*: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Movie Costs*: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Beauty-Salon Costs*: Full Wight (~2.27 Points)
• Haircut Costs*: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Median Annual Household Income: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
• Housing Affordability*: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)Note: This metric measures the price of rent for a one-bedroom apartment (adjusted for the median annual household income).
• Job Growth Rate: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Overall Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)
• Unemployment Rate for Single Population: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)Note: “Single Population” includes those who have never been married, are widowed or are divorced.
• Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.27 Points)

Romance & Fun – Total Points: 25

• Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Number of Attractions*: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, museums, cultural performances, and zoos and exclude nightlife options.
• Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Fitness & Recreational Facilities per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Movie Theaters per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Music Festivals per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Nightlife Options per Capita**: Full *Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Access to Bars Grade: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)Note: This grade is a combination of bars per 1000 residents and bars per square mile. A measure of both the proximity (per square mile) and the availability (per capita).
• Crime Rate: Full Weight (~2.5 Points)
• Online Dating Safety (Cyber Crime Rate): Full Weight (~2.5 Points)Note: This metrics measures the total number of internet crime complaints from each state.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, , Council for Community and Economic Research, Esri's Updated Demographics - 2017 estimates (Market Potential: GfK MRI), Live Science, TransUnion, United Health Foundation, Music Festival Wizard, Internet Crime Complaint Center, TripAdvisor and Gallup-Healthways.

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