Dating Vs. Cost-of-Living Crisis, Rewrited The Rules

The average date costs Americans $189, according to the BMO Real Financial Progress Index for 2026. Nearly three in four men, 71%, said they expect to pay for everything on a date early on in a relationship. Among women, 52% said they expect to split the bill. Despite this majority, when actor Robert Pattinson recently said that he agrees that you should always split the check on a date, there was outrage in the comments section. People declared that it was a huge red flag, especially coming from a millionnaire. Psychotherapist Lisa Chen, who specializes in relationships, believes that the cost-of-living crisis has changed how people think about commitment. “Especially with my Gen Z clients, I’m seeing how economic uncertainty contributes to a declining interest in seeking committed relationships, especially when traditional milestones like renting a place together or owning a home isn’t realistic,” Chen says. 

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Many of Chen’s clients have become interested in keeping relationships fluid, undefined, and flexible while they try to find jobs and build financial security. Rather than dating in a traditional sense, she said, her clients are often “seeking companionship through situationships and friendships. It’s not that they’re not interested in pursuing conventional long-term relationships; they’re just pushing it out.” According to a survey by Intuit, 51% of Americans are going on fewer dates due to today’s economy, and Gen Z is hit the hardest. Chen tells me that traditional milestones like living independently, homeownership, or financial stability are not on the table. “Most of my clients, especially recent graduates, are trying to find employment in a difficult market,” she says, adding that the rise of AI has made it even harder for Gen Z, as their entry-level jobs have been disproportionately impacted by the technology.

Source: Time