Apparently, today’s dating scene demands men to come equipped with the trifecta: six feet tall, six-pack abs, and six-figure salaries. And if you’re packing an Ivy League degree, a trust fund, and a summer house, you might just be the Prince Charming dreamed of by ambitious single women.
We surveyed 3,000 single women (18-35) to find out where standards are highest and lowest across the country when it comes to dating. The survey’s findings have real-world implications — with policymakers losing sleep over dwindling populations and their economic repercussions, the science of singles matching has never been more crucial and is a topic of national importance.
The survey asked respondents whether they would consider dating men earning less than six figures or those (according to the eye of the beholder) deemed below average in terms of attractiveness. On average, 17% of women nationwide said they would not entertain such prospects.
Notably, the survey revealed significant regional variations. In New York, home to the financial hub of Wall Street, a whopping 41% of women here will only date guys with huge salaries and model (or part-time model) looks.
Conversely, in Alaska, just 5% of women hold such high standards, indicating a more inclusive approach to potential partners.
Delving deeper into the data, the survey uncovered that, despite the demanding standards in some of the more extreme locations such as New York and California, the majority of American women hold more attainable expectations.
Encouragingly, 86% of respondents stated they would date a man who rents rather than owns a home. However, this figure could be misleading, considering the high cost of renting in cities like New York, which often necessitates a significant income.
The numbers shift when it comes to vehicle ownership. Only 59% of women would date a man who doesn’t own a car. The prospect of dating someone still living with their parents is even less appealing, with 64% of women ruling it out, presumably because of a lack of privacy.
On a more positive note, the survey found that 80% of women are open to dating a man without a college degree, and 85% would consider someone in a non-traditional job, such as an artist or gig economy worker.
Cultural experiences appear to be less of a priority, with 85% of women indicating they wouldn’t mind if their partner had never traveled beyond their home state.
Finally, the survey asked women to rank the attributes they find most attractive in a man. The results were as follows:
- A great personality
- A substantial salary
- Good looks
- Living in an expensive property
- Having their own Wikipedia page
- Ownership of a private plane
Insights on the Survey Results
“While financial and physical attributes hold significant sway in today’s dating scene, a great personality remains paramount for the majority of single women, according to our survey,” said Amber Brooks, Editor-in-Chief of DatingNews.com.
Heightened Standards in Urban Areas: In major financial hubs such as New York, a significant 41% of women set very high standards for potential partners, focusing on high salaries and exceptional looks. This contrasts sharply with places like Alaska, where only 5% of women hold such stringent criteria.
Financial Stability is Key: A substantial salary is highly valued, with 17% of women nationwide unwilling to date men earning less than six figures. However, a majority are open to men who rent homes despite the potential high cost of renting in urban centers.
Car Ownership and Living Arrangements: Car ownership is relatively important, with only 59% willing to date someone without a car. Living with parents is a significant turn-off for 64% of women surveyed, indicating a preference for partners with a degree of independence and privacy.
Education and Employment Flexibility: Encouragingly, 80% of women surveyed are open to dating men without a college degree, and 85% are open to those working non-traditional jobs. This suggests a shift toward valuing diverse career paths and life experiences.
Cultural and Travel Experiences Less Important: The majority (85%) of women surveyed are not concerned if their partner has never traveled beyond their home state, indicating that cultural experiences are less of a priority compared to other attributes.
Top Attributes Valued by Women: While financial and physical attributes are important, a great personality tops the list of attractive qualities, followed by a substantial salary and good looks. This highlights that personality remains the most critical factor in the dating scene.
Luxury and Prestige Considerations: Ownership of luxury items such as expensive property, private planes, and even having a Wikipedia page are considered attractive but rank lower than personality and financial stability.
Inclusive Preferences: Despite high standards in some regions, the majority of American women maintain more attainable expectations, indicating a more inclusive approach to potential partners across the country.
