A BMO survey finds the average millennial date now costs $252, highlighting how inflation has pushed entertainment and dining expenses higher for young adults seeking social connection. The figure captures dinners, drinks, tickets, and related spending typical of a night out.
Restaurant labor costs, ingredient prices, and venue fees have climbed faster than wage growth in some metros, forcing couples and first-time daters to trade down or reduce frequency. Even casual outings that once fit modest budgets now require planning akin to small vacation line items.
Dating apps and social media amplify spending pressure by showcasing upscale experiences, yet survey respondents also report creative low-cost alternatives such as daytime activities and home cooking. The tension between aspiration and affordability defines current courtship economics.
BMO’s data adds a consumer lens to broader inflation debates dominated by groceries and rent. At $252 per outing on average, millennials face a measurable headwind in forming relationships during a period when every discretionary category competes for limited paychecks.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/world/