Best and Worst Cities for Dating in 2026 Revealed

New study ranks Rochester, NY and Colorado Springs, CO as top and bottom dating destinations

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A new study has ranked the best and worst cities in the U.S. for dating in 2026. Rochester, NY topped the list for the second year in a row, followed by Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA. At the bottom of the rankings were Colorado Springs, CO, Chula Vista, CA, and Oceanside, CA. The study looked at factors like cost of living, opportunities to meet people, quality of life, and dating app usage to determine the rankings.

Why it matters

The findings provide valuable insights for single people looking to improve their dating prospects, as the city one lives in can have a significant impact on the dating pool and overall dating experience. The rankings also highlight the importance of factors like cost of living, social opportunities, and quality of life in creating an environment conducive to dating and relationships.

The details

The study used a 100-point scale to rank 110 U.S. cities based on a combination of factors including cost of living, opportunities to meet people, quality of life, and active dating interest. Rochester, NY topped the list for the second year in a row, scoring 70.93 out of 100 points. Pittsburgh, PA (69.91) and Boston, MA (68.95) rounded out the top 3. At the bottom were Colorado Springs, CO (26.33), Chula Vista, CA (29.78), and Oceanside, CA (30.26). The study found that cities with larger single populations, more social venues, and lower costs tended to rank higher, while expensive cities with fewer singles fared worse.

  • The study was conducted and published in February 2026, just before Valentine's Day.

The players

Consumer Affairs

The consumer research organization that conducted the study ranking the best and worst cities for dating in the U.S.

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The takeaway

This study highlights the significant impact that a city's cost of living, social opportunities, and overall quality of life can have on the dating experiences of its single residents. Singles looking to improve their dating prospects may want to consider relocating to cities that rank highly for factors like a large single population, affordable housing, and an abundance of social venues and activities.