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California has officially cracked America’s dating elite, ranking among the top handful of states for singles in WalletHub’s latest Best States for Singles report—and if you’ve ever flirted in line at Erewhon or accidentally locked eyes with someone during sunset at Runyon, you probably won’t be shocked.
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The study ranked California at number four, scoring especially high for dating opportunities and romance-and-fun factors. WalletHub looked at nearly 30 metrics, including how many single adults are in the state, how easy it is to meet people and—crucially—how many things there are to do once you actually land a date. In California’s case, the answer is basically: everything.
For Los Angeles, that can be a choose-your-own-rom-com. First date coffee in Los Feliz? Sure. Second date dumplings in the SGV? Obviously. Third date hike that turns into tacos that turns into live music in Highland Park? You’re basically contractually obligated. The report specifically points to California’s massive number of restaurants, movie theaters, music festivals, amusement parks and nature parks per capita, all of which are serving main-character energy for anyone trying to meet someone.
There’s also a vibe component that feels very L.A. WalletHub notes California ranks relatively high in measures tied to emotional openness and relationship readiness. Translation: yes, ghosting exists, but so do therapy-informed communication skills and people who know how to say “I’m not ready for something serious” before the third date.
Of course, there is one very on-brand California asterisk: There's a very big buy-in to play. The state ranks much lower for dating economics, reflecting higher prices for, well, everything. Drinks cost more. Dinner costs more. Parking costs more. Even “casual” dates somehow involve artisanal ice cream and a $28 glass of natural wine.
But L.A. singles have long treated budgeting like just another creative challenge. Picnic dates at the beach. Free museum nights. Farmers' market strolls. The city makes it surprisingly easy to date without maxing out your credit card, as long as you’re willing to get a little creative.
Zoom out, and California’s ranking reflects something bigger: Dating here isn’t just about nightlife or apps or one “scene.” It’s about options. You can be outdoorsy, artsy, wellness-obsessed, nightlife-curious or all of the above, depending on the week, day or even hour. The same diversity that defines the state culturally shows up in how people date, too.
So yes, California is one of the best states for singles. And yes, in Los Angeles, dating might be chaotic, occasionally confusing and definitely expensive. But according to the data, you’re also playing the game on one of the biggest, weirdest and most possibility-filled boards in America. Take the win.
Here's the full ranking of the best states to be single in:
1. Florida
2. New York
3. Texas
4. California
5. Illinois
6. Wisconsin
7. Pennsylvania
8. Massachusetts
9. Ohio
10. Minnesota
11. Michigan
12. Arizona
13. New Jersey
14. Virginia
15. Georgia
16. Missouri
17. Washington
18. Connecticut
19. Nevada
20. North Carolina
21. Oregon
22. Colorado
23. Rhode Island
24. Vermont
25. Maryland
26. Utah
27. Tennessee
28. New Hampshire
29. Louisiana
30. Indiana
31. Delaware
32. Maine
33. Oklahoma
34. Hawaii
35. Nebraska
36. Iowa
37. Montana
38. Alabama
39. Idaho
40. New Mexico
41. Kentucky
42. Kansas
43. Mississippi
44. South Dakota
45. South Carolina
46. Alaska
47. North Dakota
48. Wyoming
49. Arkansas
50. West Virginia