Is inflation killing romance as Gen Z skips dating to save money?

June 29, 2026 - 05:02

A new study from Bank of America suggests that many young adults are choosing to stay home rather than spend money on dating. The report found that Gen Z would rather skip dating altogether than pay for dinner and drinks with a potential partner, with costs that can climb to $250 per outing.

Yahoo Finance Senior Reporters Brooke DiPalma and Ines Ferre discussed the findings on Market Domination, noting that inflation and rising living costs are reshaping how young people approach relationships. For a generation already burdened by student debt and high rent, the price of a single date can feel like a luxury they cannot afford.

The trend has sparked conversations about whether romance is becoming a casualty of the economy. Some young daters are opting for low-cost or free activities, like walks in the park or coffee meetups, while others are simply opting out of the dating scene entirely. The data suggests that financial pressure is not just changing how people date, but whether they date at all.

As the cost of everything from groceries to gas continues to climb, the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a single evening with a stranger seems less appealing. For Gen Z, saving money may now be more important than finding love.