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New OkCupid Data Reveals How Money Shapes Modern Dating for Gen Z and Millennials

Talking about money used to feel like a third date taboo. Too personal. Too awkward. Too soon.

But in 2026 dating, money is already in the room. It is deciding where you go, how often you see each other, and sometimes whether the date even happens at all.

That is why OkCupid is launching Love & Money, a new content and data series exploring how modern daters are navigating romance in a world where rent is high, iced coffee is seven dollars, and emotional investment often comes with a Venmo request.

We surveyed Gen Z and Millennials to understand how finances shape attraction, dealbreakers, and dating behavior today. The takeaway is clear. Love is still romantic. It is also practical.

First Dates Are Less About Who Pays and More About Not Making It Weird

For decades, the question of who pays on the first date came with a rulebook. Today, that rulebook is mostly gone.

Only 35 percent of daters say the person who asked should pay. Another 19 percent prefer to split it evenly. But the largest group, 42 percent, agrees on one thing above all else. It does not matter who pays as long as handling the payment isn’t made awkward.

That mindset shows up in how much people are actually spending. Most daters are keeping first dates reasonable, not cheap, not extravagant.

• 41% spend between $25 and $50
• 33% spend $50 to $100
• Only 11% go over $100

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Dating is still an investment, but it is a thoughtful one. Which may explain why the biggest financial ick is not being broke. It is being shady.

Forty percent of daters say the ultimate turnoff is someone who conveniently forgets their wallet. That outranks flexing expensive stuff, forgetting to tip, or talking about debt too much.

The message is simple. Be honest. Be considerate. Tip your server.

Dating Is Expensive, and Everyone Knows It

When we asked daters what costs them the most right now, the answer was not surprising.

Over half (52%) said drinks and dinners are their biggest dating expense. Experiences like concerts came next at 18 percent, followed by getting ready for dates and transportation, both at 12 percent.

“Rising costs are definitely changing how people date, but they’re not stopping them from dating,” says Michael Kaye, Director of Brand & Communications at OkCupid. “What we’re seeing is a shift away from expensive, performative dates and toward more intentional ones. Dating doesn’t have to mean pricey dinners or big nights out. It can be a walk, cooking together, or anything that prioritizes connection over cost.”

Love is not canceled. It is being budgeted.

Financial Transparency Is the Ultimate Green Flag

When it comes to money and dating, it is not about how much you make. It is about how you manage it and whether you are willing to talk about it. Daters are less impressed by income and more drawn to honesty, self awareness, and shared expectations.

The most attractive financial behaviors are rooted in transparency and intention:

• 63% say being open about money is a green flag
• 62% value sticking to a budget
• 56% like someone who saves consistently
• 49% split expenses fairly (based on income and debt)

On the flip side, the biggest turnoffs are not income-based either. They are about avoidance and imbalance.

• Constant overspending
• Ignoring debt
• Never wanting to talk about money
• Being stingy

This explains why 68 percent of daters say financial responsibility is sexier than generosity. Grand gestures are nice. Knowing where your money goes is nicer.

Money Talks Are Happening Earlier, Just Not All at Once

Very few people want to open a first date by pulling out a spreadsheet. Only 18 percent talk about money in the first few dates. Most daters prefer to ease into it.

• 44% talk about money only if it comes up naturally
• 36% wait until things feel serious
• Just 2% never want to talk about it at all

When those conversations do happen, they are practical and emotionally revealing. The first topic most people want to discuss is debt (40%), followed by setting a budget together (25)% or saving for something meaningful (19% said “for a trip” and 17% said “splitting rent or bills”.

Money conversations are no longer about impressing someone. They are about understanding how someone lives.

Relationships Are Flexible About Money, On Purpose

Rigid rules around splitting costs are fading. Instead, flexibility is becoming the norm.

Nearly two thirds of daters (63%) say how they split expenses depends on the situation. Some take turns (11%). Some adjust based on income (14%). Only 13 percent insist on always going 50/50. That flexibility shows up in what people call their money love language.

• 38% feel most loved when partners cover each other when needed
• 30% love surprising each other with small treats
• 24% prefer saving together for big goals

It is less about keeping score and more about feeling supported. Which may be why sending money “just because” still feels romantic to many people. Nearly half say it is the sweetest thing ever. Another 44 percent say it is cute, even if not necessary. Very few find it transactional.

Romance Does Not Have to Be Expensive to Be Meaningful

Despite the rising cost of dating, creativity is thriving. The most popular low-cost date ideas include cooking dinner together, movie nights at home, long walks, and free museums. These are not consolation prizes. They are intentional choices that prioritize connection.

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That same mindset applies to milestones. When asked how they would prefer to celebrate an anniversary, nearly half chose a weekend trip over a fancy dinner. Experiences beat extravagance.

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Love, Funded by Values

Modern dating is not about finding someone rich. It is about finding someone aligned. Someone who communicates. Someone who is honest. Someone who understands that money is emotional, relational, and deeply tied to how we care for each other.

Love & Money is about naming that truth and making space for better conversations. Because when financial values align, emotional intimacy tends to follow.

And that is a return worth investing in.

Media contact: MichaelK@OkCupid.com