# Dating Costs Too Expensive for Gen Z and Millennials

> Dating costs $189 per date for Gen Z and millennials, forcing many to skip relationships.
- Title: Dating Costs Too Expensive for Gen Z and Millennials
- Summary: Dating costs $189 per date for Gen Z and millennials, forcing many to skip relationships. 84% of Gen Z and millennials say rising dating costs affected their…
- Keywords: gen z, millennials, dating cost, relationship expenses, financial pressure, dating app, matchmaker, Dating, Costs, Too, Expensive, Gen
- Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a73927751/is-dating-too-expensive
- Author: Syeda Khaula Saad
- Published: 2026-09-29T18:35:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gen z, millennials, dating cost, relationship expenses, financial pressure, dating app, matchmaker
## Dating as a Luxury
Dating has become a luxury product for Gen Z and millennials as expenses rise.
## Dating App Costs
Premium dating apps cost up to $600 a year, while matchmakers charge $5,000 to $25,000.
## Average Date Cost
The average cost of a single date is $189, including venues and activities.
## Gender Financial Dynamics
90 percent of young men pay for all early dates, with 77 percent feeling anxious about date costs.
## Invisible Costs for Women
Women face pressure for beauty maintenance, outfits, waxing, and transportation to date.
## Financial Strain
When dating costs exceed grocery or gas expenses, it becomes impossible to justify.
## Impact on Dating Habits
84 percent of Gen Z and millennials say rising costs affected their dating habits.
## Debt and Stopping Dating
17 percent borrowed money, 11 percent stopped dating entirely due to costs.
## Key takeaway

84% of Gen Z and millennials say rising dating costs affected their habits, with 17% borrowing money to keep dating.