Looking for love in the wrong place? According to WalletHub’s 2023 study, some states make the dating journey far tougher than others.
In this list of the 10 worst states in America for finding romance, we explore where singles face the biggest hurdles, whether it’s a lack of dating opportunities, fewer fun date spots, or even high dating costs.
From West Virginia’s consistently poor rankings to Alaska’s lack of romantic venues, discover why these states can feel especially challenging for anyone hoping to meet that special someone. If you’re single and searching, these places might make your quest for love even harder.
1: West Virginia
West Virginia holds the unenviable position as the least desirable state for singles in the United States, ranking 50th overall in WalletHub’s 2023 study.
This consistent low ranking is primarily attributed to limited opportunities in “romance and fun,” a factor that has kept the state at the bottom for years.
In 2023, West Virginia also ranked 46th for “dating opportunities,” indicating a scarcity of potential partners.
Furthermore, its 42nd ranking in “dating economics” suggests that dating can be less financially appealing there.
These combined factors make West Virginia a particularly tough environment for singles seeking companionship.
2: Arkansas
Arkansas is identified as the second-worst state for singles to find love, securing the 49th overall position in the WalletHub study.
The state demonstrated significant weaknesses in key areas for singles, ranking 47th for “dating opportunities,” which suggests a limited pool of potential partners.
Additionally, Arkansas was ranked 44th for “dating and fun,” indicating fewer options for romantic outings and activities.
However, the state showed a relative strength in the “dating economics” category, where it scored significantly higher at 34th place, potentially offering a slightly more affordable dating scene compared to other low-ranking states.
3: North Dakota
North Dakota ranks as the third-worst state for singles, holding the 48th overall position, largely due to having the least amount of dating opportunities in the entire country.
The Peace Garden State received a 50th place ranking in “dating opportunities,” making it exceptionally difficult for singles to meet new people.
It also performed poorly in “romance and fun,” ranking 45th. Despite these significant drawbacks, North Dakota presents a notable advantage in “dating economics,” where it surprisingly ranked much higher at 6th place.
This indicates that while opportunities are scarce, dating in North Dakota may be considerably more economical.
4: Wyoming
Wyoming is the fourth-worst state for singles, with an overall ranking of 47th, primarily due to its slim dating opportunities.
The Equality State ranked 49th in the “dating opportunities” category, indicating that meeting new people can be particularly challenging.
It also struggled in the “romance and fun” category, coming in at 43rd. Despite these significant hurdles, there is a silver lining for singles in Wyoming: the state ranked 19th in “dating economics”.
This makes Wyoming one of the more economical states for dating in the US, suggesting that while it may be hard to find a date, it won’t necessarily break the bank.
5: Kentucky
Kentucky rounds out the bottom five worst states for singles, indicating a challenging environment for finding romance.
In the WalletHub study, Kentucky ranked 43rd in “dating opportunities,” suggesting a limited pool of potential partners.
It also placed 39th in “dating economics,” which is relatively poor but not as low as its other rankings. Notably, among the bottom five states, Kentucky provides the highest opportunities for “romance and fun,” ranking 31st in this category.
This means that while finding a partner might be difficult, singles in Kentucky may have more options for recreational and romantic activities once they do.
6: Mississippi
Mississippi is ranked as the sixth-worst state for singles, placing 45th overall in WalletHub’s study.
The Magnolia State performed poorly in the “romance and fun” category, ranking 47th, partly due to having one of the fewest movie theaters per capita. It also scored low in “dating opportunities,” coming in at 36th place.
In terms of cost, Mississippi fared slightly better in “dating economics,” ranking 29th. Despite some economic relief, the limited options for entertainment and social interaction make it a challenging place for singles to connect and pursue romantic interests.
7: Alaska
Alaska is the seventh-worst state for singles, with an overall ranking of 44th, making it a difficult place to find a partner.
The state ranked last in the “romance and fun” category, indicating a severe lack of suitable venues and activities for romantic encounters, further exacerbated by having minimal restaurants per capita.
Alaska also scored low in “dating economics,” placing 46th, suggesting that dating can be expensive. However, it showed a comparatively more promising performance in “dating opportunities,” ranking 31st, which is relatively better than its other categories, offering a glimmer of hope for meeting people.
8: South Carolina
South Carolina is the eighth-worst state for singles, holding an overall ranking of 43. The state faces significant challenges, including one of the highest crime rates on this list, which can impact social comfort and safety.
South Carolina ranked poorly in “dating opportunities” at 48th and “romance and fun” at 33rd, severely limiting options for singles.
Despite these drawbacks, South Carolina stands out for its exceptional performance in “dating economics,” ranking number one, making it the least costly state to date.
This economic advantage, however, is significantly outweighed by its limited dating scene and safety concerns.
9: Alabama
Alabama is ranked as the ninth-worst state for singles, placing 42nd overall in the WalletHub study. Singles in Alabama face challenges in both “romance and fun” and “dating opportunities,” where the state ranked 40th and 41st respectively.
This indicates a scarcity of engaging activities and potential partners. However, Alabama offers a more favorable economic environment for dating, ranking 20th as the most economical state.
This position follows Wyoming, suggesting that while the avenues for meeting and entertaining a partner might be limited, the financial burden of dating is less significant compared to many other states.
10: Montana
Montana, known for its natural beauty, rounds out the top ten worst states for singles in the US, ranking 41st overall.
The Treasure State presents few “dating opportunities,” ranking 44th, which suggests a limited pool of potential partners.
It also offers fewer chances for “romance and fun,” placing 32nd in that category. However, there’s a positive aspect: Montana scored well in “dating economics,” with WalletHub ranking it the 12th best state for affordability in dating.
This means that while finding a partner and engaging in romantic activities might be challenging, the cost of dating is relatively low.
Alicia Richards