Hily Survey Shows Free Dates Gaining Popularity Among Gen Z and Millennials, Indicating a Shift in Dating Economics
Hily's survey reveals 47% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials accept free dates, suggesting a shift in dating economics as costs rise.
Gen Z and millennial singles are increasingly looking for ways to date without the cost of a traditional night out, as rising expenses make dating less financially appealing. Free dates are becoming a practical alternative for younger daters seeking connection without the burden of high costs.
The Rise of Free Dates Among Younger Generations
A new survey of 5,400 Gen Z and millennial daters in the U.S. by dating app Hily found that free dates are already part of the dating mix for some younger adults. More than one-third of Gen Z respondents and two in five millennials said they had suggested a free event as a date. Meanwhile, 17% of Gen Z respondents and 25% of millennials said they had been asked on a free date, including options such as promotional events.
Nearly half of Gen Z respondents, at 47%, said they would accept a no-cost date, while the figure rose to 54% among millennials. This willingness to embrace free dating options reflects both practical financial concerns and a shift in dating culture. The acceptance rates suggest that a significant portion of younger daters are open to reimagining what constitutes an appropriate first date.
Nearly half of Gen Z respondents, at 47%, said they would accept a no-cost date, while the figure rose to 54% among millennials.
Gender Divide on Free Dating Expectations
The idea is not universally popular, however. Women in particular were more likely to view free dates negatively. Some 44% of Gen Z women and 39% of millennial women said free dates did not match their level of interest. Among Gen Z women, 38% also described free dates as potentially "low-effort" or last-minute.
Expectations around who should pay also remain. More than half of Gen Z women and millennial women said that someone who cannot afford to pay at least part of a date should not ask someone out. The same view was held by 47% of Gen Z men and 45% of millennial men. These traditional expectations continue to exist alongside the growing acceptance of no-cost dating alternatives.
The Economics Behind the Dating Shift
The survey comes as the cost of dating continues to rise. According to the 2026 BMO Real Financial Progress Index, the average cost of a date night for millennials increased 32% over the previous year to $252. Gen Z daters were spending an average of $205, up from $194 in 2025.
The average cost of a date night for millennials increased 32% over the previous year to $252.
For some younger daters, the choice may increasingly be between finding a low-cost way to meet someone and reducing their dating activity altogether. Dating apps that provide tools facilitating these low-cost dates are likely to see a rise in overall usage. This economic pressure is fundamentally reshaping how younger generations approach romantic connections.
Key Takeaways
- Economic pressures are driving younger generations to embrace alternative dating formats, with free dates becoming increasingly normalized despite some lingering stigma
- Gender differences in expectations persist, with women more likely to view free dates as low-effort, creating potential tension in modern dating dynamics
- Dating apps that facilitate affordable or free date options are positioned to capture growing market share as traditional dating becomes financially prohibitive for many young adults
Key takeaways
- 01Many Gen Z and millennials accept free dates due to rising costs, with millennials' average date cost at $252.
- 02A significant portion of Gen Z (47%) and millennials (54%) would accept a no-cost date.
- 03Women are more likely to view free dates as "low-effort," with 44% of Gen Z women holding this view.
- 04Dating apps facilitating low-cost dates may see increased usage as financial pressures reshape dating.
- 05More than one-third of Gen Z and two in five millennials have suggested a free event as a date.
Reviewed by an operator. Last updated September 16, 2026. High Intent is led by founder and CEO Bill Alena, backed by a team of industry experts with over 100 years of online dating experience between them.
Questions operators ask
Nearly half of Gen Z respondents, at 47%, said they would accept a no-cost date, while 54% of millennials would. This shows a notable openness among younger generations to reimagining date types without high costs.
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