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The 5 best cities for singles — and the 5 worst in 2026

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It’s not easy to find love. But could where you live be making it harder?

WalletHub was determined to find out, analyzing 182 cities across the United States to find the best and worst places for singles in 2026. It compared each place across three main categories: economics; fun and recreation; and dating opportunities, considering 35 specific metrics ranging from the percentage of single people in the area, the average cost of a meal for two, and the number of nightlife options per capita.

“The already difficult process of finding the perfect partner can be made even tougher when cities lack the conditions necessary to make dating successful,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best cities for singles have large, gender-balanced single populations, along with a wide variety of indoor, outdoor, daytime, and nighttime activities.

“They also have reasonable prices for dating activities or high average incomes to help ease the sting of inflation,” Lupo added.

Continue reading to see the best and worst places for singles in 2026.

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5th best: Denver, Colorado

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If you live an active lifestyle, Denver is a great place to look for love. While a night out isn’t the cheapest—a movie ticket averages around $16—the city makes up for it with a vibrant social scene, a high concentration of singles, and lots of outdoor activities.

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4th best: Seattle, Washington

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Seattle is a great place for modern dating, ranking first for online dating opportunities. While it can be pricey, with the average restaurant meal for two hovering around $100, many residents have the salaries to match; the median household income exceeds $84,000. It also has tons of coffee shops and parks.

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3rd best: Tampa, Florida

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Tampa offers a good mix of fun and affordability, according to WalletHub. It stands out for having a high number of coffee shops and social clubs per capita, and boasts the 13th-best gender balance among singles in the nation. Plus, it has a solid average income and reasonable costs for dating activities.

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2nd best: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Despite its reputation for bachelor parties, Las Vegas is a surprisingly solid choice for serious daters. It has one of the most diverse nightlife scenes in the country and it is more affordable than you might think. The city has some of the lowest costs for conventional "date prep," including haircuts and beauty salon visits, according to WalletHub.

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Best: Atlanta, Georgia

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Atlanta ranked first with a massive dating pool — roughly 70% of the population is unmarried. It’s also incredibly social, with tons of restaurants, nightlife venues, and fitness centers.

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5th Worst: Port St. Lucie, Florida

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Port St. Lucie is a little boring, according to WalletHub’s metrics. It has very few nightlife options and attractions compared to other cities, and a low share of single residents.

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4th Worst: Hialeah, Florida

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Hialeah’s economic struggles make dating difficult, with low average salaries and few options for those who can afford to go out.

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3rd Worst: Yonkers, New York

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Yonkers is an expensive place to date without the benefits of a bustling social scene. The average price for a meal for two is $120, one of the highest in the study. Despite the high costs, the city ranks low for fun and recreation, meaning if you’re looking for a fun night, you probably need to go into nearby New York City.

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2nd Worst: Pearl City, Hawaii

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While beautiful, Pearl City is a tough market for singles. It ranks very low for online dating opportunities, and it’s an expensive place to live and go out, with few options anyway.

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Worst: Brownsville, Texas

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Brownsville’s high poverty rate restricts residents’ disposable income for dating. It also ranks near the bottom for online dating activity and has very few attractions or recreation options, landing it the lowest spot on the list.