Dating is tough, and not just because everyone is collectively burned out on dating apps. Searching for a potential partner also means spending money just about every time you meet someone IRL. But now, both millennials and Gen Zers seem to be hacking the system by opting for free dates.
According to a new survey of 5,400 Gen Z and millennial daters in the U.S. by the dating app Hily, opting for no-cost dates is a popular idea with both generations. More than 1 in 3 Gen Zers and 2 in 5 millennial American daters say they have suggested a free event for a date. Likewise, 17% of Gen Z reported that they’ve been asked on a free date, like a promotional event, while 25% of millennials said the same.
And even more daters say they aren’t opposed to the concept, either: 47% of Gen Zers and 54% of millennials said they’d accept the offer for a no-cost date—no questions asked.
Still, while going on free dates appeals to some—which makes sense given the rising cost of living, not to mention the cost of dating—some say a date that doesn’t require spending is off-putting. Mostly, it’s women who take issue with freebies: 44% of Gen Z women and 39% of millennial women said free dates don’t match their interest. And 38% of Gen Z women also said it feels “low-effort” or “last-minute.”
Similarly, a large portion of both generations feel that if someone can’t afford to go on a date (that actually costs money), then they should simply stay home: 58% of Gen Z women and 54% of millennial women said that if a person can’t at least pay for part of a date, then they shouldn’t ask someone out to begin with. And 47% of Gen Z men and 45% of millennial men agreed.
The new survey follows previous research from BMO Financial Group, released earlier this year. According to the 2026 BMO Real Financial Progress Index, the cost of dating has gone up even more than the cost of living. In just the past year, the cost of a date night for millennials jumped 32%, bringing the average spend to $252 for a single night out. Gen Zers are spending an average of $205, up from $194 in 2025.
As a result, many say they’re simply dating less: 47% of singles said that going out for date night is no longer financially worth it.
In other words, for many modern daters, the choice may be between no-cost dates or no dates at all.