The rules of dating are changing, and Gen Z is leading the charge—ditching old-school taboos around money in favor of financial transparency from the start. According to a new survey, today’s singles are swapping silence for salary talk, with half of Gen Z and millennials saying it's attractive when a date openly shares their income.
Who Pays? It Depends on Your Age
A survey of 2,000 singles by Talker Research highlights just how much dating expectations differ across generations. While nearly half of baby boomers (42%) and Gen Xers (45%) still believe men should pay for dates, only 36% of Gen Z agree.
Instead, younger daters are more into fairness:
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28% of Gen Z think whoever plans the date should foot the bill (compared to 16% of boomers).
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23% prefer splitting the cost evenly (vs. 17% of Gen X).
And when it comes to money talk, Gen Z and millennials are far more open: 50% say they like when dates bring up income, compared to just 37% of Gen X and 23% of boomers.
Gen Z is also twice as likely to find "big spenders" attractive—34%, versus just 16% of baby boomers.
The Financial Pressure Is Real
Despite being more comfortable talking about money, younger singles are also feeling the squeeze. Nearly 37% of Gen Z report feeling pressure to spend big on dates. And financial red flags can be a dealbreaker: nearly 1 in 5 has ghosted someone over bad money habits.
Rising costs and inflation have disrupted dating lives for 74% of Americans, and 31% have canceled dates due to financial constraints. Men, in particular, are feeling the heat—21% have even gone into debt from dating (compared to 16% of women).
By the six-month mark in a relationship, spending evens out: women expect to spend about $98 on a date, men $109, with an average total of just over $100 per outing.
Talking About Money Is Still Stressful
Even though younger generations are more open about finances, money remains one of the most stressful dating topics. 25% of singles say it’s a top anxiety trigger—behind only relationship history (29%) and sex (26%). For baby boomers, talking about money is just as stressful as talking politics.
When should those conversations happen? Americans are split:
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31% think it should happen within the first three dates.
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34% prefer to wait until things get serious.
Some would rather discuss almost anything else. 23% of Gen Z would rather talk about a subject they know nothing about, and 26% would prefer revealing their “deepest, darkest fears.” Among boomers, 16% would rather talk politics than finances.
Gender Divide: Different Expectations, Different Turn-Offs
Men and women are split on who should pay:
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47% of men believe they should cover the whole date.
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Only 34% of women agree.
Both agree that overspending is a red flag (31% of men, 35% of women). But women are more likely to be turned off by:
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Stinginess (33% vs. 19% of men)
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A partner not offering to pay (29% vs. 12%)
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Poor financial knowledge (24% vs. 17%)
There’s also disagreement on when to talk about payment. 37% think it should happen on the date itself, while 31% prefer to clarify over text before meeting.
Shifting Norms: From Assumptions to Openness
“These findings make it clear that financial norms around dating are shifting — especially among younger generations who are choosing transparency and equality over tradition,” said Janelle Sallenave, Chief Spending Officer at Chime, which commissioned the study. “Today’s couples are literally banking on love — swapping awkward assumptions for upfront money talks that lead to less stress, fewer surprises, and stronger relationships.”
As Gen Z continues to challenge traditional gender roles, financial compatibility is becoming just as important as emotional and physical connection. The new dating norm? Being real about money from the start.