Is your city helping or hurting your dating prospects?
Finding love in your late 20s can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. From juggling work (or school) to navigating today’s perilous financial realities, it’s challenging for singletons to actually get out and meet people, let alone date. Where you live can either fuel your social life or slow it down, and new data from WalletHub’s 2025 report on the best cities for singles proves it.
“When I think about the best cities for singles, I’m thinking about the conditions that actually make connection possible,” Alicia M. Walker, associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University, told WalletHub. We’re talking vibrant nightlife, affordable living and plenty of opportunities to connect, all of which increase your chances of finding that special someone.
While you may not pack up your life and move to a new city just for the prospect of finding love, crazier things have happened, right? Ahead, we break down the report and highlight choice insights from WalletHub’s cited experts. Whether you want to upgrade your dating scene or you’re just curious how your city stacks up, this list is your roadmap.
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How were the best cities determined?
To find out the best places for singles, WalletHub evaluated 182 cities in the United States, including 150 of the most populous cities and at least two in each state. They rated all 182 across three dimensions: economics, fun and recreation, and dating opportunities. Using 35 weighted metrics—from living costs and income to nightlife, accessibility and the share of single residents—each city received a 100-point score reflecting its overall dating environment.
The number of restaurants, parks and nightlife were adjusted for population size, while income and housing were cost-of-living adjusted. Cities were then ranked by their weighted averages, using data collected from federal sources, consumer databases and WalletHub research. Cities were limited to city-proper boundaries, not including suburbs.
Notably, WalletHub’s research considered the gender balance of each city, giving it double weight, but didn’t include sexual orientation metrics, so that’s something to look into before making a move to any city. “You want gender and orientation balance because if you’re straight in a city with a huge gender gap, or queer in a place with no visible community, your options shrink fast,” Walker says.
What’s the best city for singles?
The winner is Atlanta! It’s a vibrant city for culture, food and fun—likely because of the bustling population of single people living there. “Single adults bring energy, creativity and spending power,” Walker says. “They’re often the ones filling restaurants, showing up to community events and keeping downtowns from turning into ghost towns after 6 p.m.”
Why is Atlanta the best city for singles?
There are a number of key reasons why Atlanta topped WalletHub’s list and came in strong in many categories. Here’s a rundown of why this city has more than just Southern charm.
Large dating pool
In Atlanta, around 70% of the city’s population is single—never married, widowed or divorced—which is the ninth-highest percentage in the country. “Cities can make it easier for people to connect,” Julianne Holt-Lunstad, director of the Social Connection and Health Lab at Brigham Young University, told WalletHub. And with such a large percentage of unattached people, singles have a bigger pool to pull from when looking for love in Atlanta.
Lots of fun things to do
Atlanta ranked third on WalletHub’s list for fun and recreation, and if you’ve ever been there, you know that the city is filled with attractions, restaurants and nightlife for people of all ages—perfect for singles wanting to meet and mingle. In WalletHub’s data, Atlanta had one of the highest numbers of shopping centers, spas and social clubs per capita.
Holt-Lunstad says these “third spaces,” a term for spots other than home and work, are important for connection. “Think safe, walkable neighborhoods filled with third spaces that invite conversation and chance encounters: cozy cafes, parks, farmers markets and art-filled plazas.” Luckily, these spaces are plentiful in a city like Atlanta.
Easy to get around
Atlanta ranks as the 30th most accessible city in the country, a metric that’s based on the percentage of people who bike, walk or take public transportation. It’s definitely a car-heavy culture, but the city also offers train, bus and streetcar service, which bumps Atlanta up in the rankings because it’s easy to get around.
The city has recently invested in upgrades to its bus network, which is a win for singles. “When streets are well-lit and transit is reliable, people feel comfortable exploring after dark, turning an ordinary evening into an opportunity to meet someone new,” Holt-Lunstad says. “By investing in safety and vibrant gathering places, they can facilitate connection.”
Financially stable prospects
One final reason Atlanta sits at the top of WalletHub’s ranking of the best U.S. cities for singles is the fact that it’s easy to find a financially stable partner. The city has the 16th highest median annual household income, exceeding $85,000. The region is also home to world-class universities, hospitals and tech companies, as well as a booming film, music and arts scene, offering tons of opportunities for young people to find financially stable or culturally like-minded singles.
What are the 10 best cities for singles?
The best cities for singles were spread out across the U.S., from the South to the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a look at the top 10:
- Atlanta
- Las Vegas
- Tampa, Florida
- Seattle
- Denver
- Austin, Texas
- Pittsburgh
- Orlando, Florida
- St. Louis
- Portland, Oregon
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About the experts
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Sources:
- WalletHub: “Best & Worst Cities for Singles (2025)”
- Metro Atlanta CEO: “MARTA Board Approves Transformational NextGen Bus Network”
- Rough Draft Atlanta: “New railcars unveiled at State of MARTA event”
