Dating has turned into a costly affair in 2025. with americans now spending an average of $2,279 a year and gen z shelling out $194 per date, love is feeling the inflation pinch. a growing number are opting out entirely. according to the bmo real financial progress index, nearly 30% say they’ll take a break from dating to save money. but not everywhere is dating prohibitively expensive: bengaluru has just been crowned the cheapest city to date in the world. here’s how romance and finances are colliding in 2025.