Special Report
Cost of a Date the Year You Were Born
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Few dates are more popular than the classic dinner and a movie night out. Couples young and old alike have enjoyed this combination for decades – a perfect way to enjoy each other’s company for an evening. Yet, while the basis of the date has remained consistent over the years, there is one thing that has changed – the cost.
The cost of a night out – consisting of movie tickets and dinner for two – has increased from under $7 in 1953 to nearly $90 in 2016. The average cost of a meal at a restaurant has increased by more than 1,122% over this period, and a single movie ticket price has increased by over 1,596%. The average cost of all goods increased by just 799% over this same timeframe.
Inflation is the primary force driving the increase in prices, however a date in 1953 would still cost $62.58 in today’s dollars – significantly less than the same date would cost today. The cost of a movie ticket, when adjusted for inflation, has almost doubled. This is partially due to the theater experience becoming nicer with higher quality concessions and amenities. Many restaurants have also begun to offer more sophisticated meals than those that were available in the 1950s.
The rising cost of going out may be one of the reasons teens are shifting much of their romantic life to the digital realm. According to a recent poll from the Washington D.C.-based think tank Pew Research Center, 72% of teens with relationship experience who spend time with a significant other each day do so via text message, while only 21% do so in person.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed historical prices of goods and services, movie ticket prices, and the cost of going out to dinner to find the approximate cost of a typical date each year since 1953. To paint a clearer picture of what a date might be like for each year, we included a top-charting love song from the Billboard year-end top singles for each year.
Click here to see the cost of a date each year.
To determine the average cost of a date for each year, 24/7 Wall St. combined the average price of a meal for two with the price of two movie tickets for each year starting in 1953. The price of a meal is based on Zagat’s national average price for a dinner out in 2016 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food away from home averages. Movie ticket cost data came from the National Association of Theatre Owners. The prices from 1989 onward have been calculated, according to NATO, “by surveying movie theater companies and asking for their total box office and total tickets sold. The box office is divided by the number of tickets sold to arrive at the average ticket price for the industry.” Prior to 1989, ticket prices were based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The songs that were included as “best love songs” are love or love-related songs chosen from the Billboard year-end top singles for each year. They do not necessarily reflect the absolute top-ranking single of the year.
Source: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1953
> Cost of a date: $6.96
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.02
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $5.94
> Best love song: Percy Faith – “The Song from Moulin Rouge”
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Source: Seattle Municipal Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1954
> Cost of a date: $7.15
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.10
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.05
> Best love song: Kitty Kallen – “Little Things Mean A Lot”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Seattle Municipal Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1955
> Cost of a date: $7.27
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.16
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.11
> Best love song: Les Baxter – “Unchained Melody”
Source: ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons
1956
> Cost of a date: $7.43
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.18
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.25
> Best love song: The Platters – “My Prayer”
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1957
> Cost of a date: $7.71
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.24
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.47
> Best love song: Elvis Presley – “All Shook Up”
Source: National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1958
> Cost of a date: $7.96
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.30
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.66
> Best love song: The Everly Brothers – “All I Have to Do Is Dream”
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Source: The Sporting News Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1959
> Cost of a date: $8.21
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.36
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $6.85
> Best love song: Frankie Avalon – “Venus”
Source: Alden Jewell / Wikimedia Commons
1960
> Cost of a date: $8.52
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.50
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.02
> Best love song: Percy Faith – “Theme From A Summer Place”
Source: The U.S. National Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1961
> Cost of a date: $8.73
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.54
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.19
> Best love song: Patsy Cline – “I Fall to Pieces”
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
1962
> Cost of a date: $9.00
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.62
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.38
> Best love song: Ray Charles – “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
Source: Executive Office of the President of the United States / Wikimedia Commons
1963
> Cost of a date: $9.24
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.70
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.54
> Best love song: Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs – “Sugar Shack”
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Source: Harry Pot, / Wikimedia Commons
1964
> Cost of a date: $9.54
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $1.86
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.68
> Best love song: The Beatles – “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
Source: Mennonite Church USA Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1965
> Cost of a date: $9.87
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $2.02
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $7.85
> Best love song: Four Tops – “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”
Source: Nationaal Archief / Wikimedia Commons
1966
> Cost of a date: $10.41
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $2.20
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $8.21
> Best love song: The Association – “Cherish”
Source: JOHN LLOYD / Flickr
1967
> Cost of a date: $11.05
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $2.40
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $8.65
> Best love song: The Monkees – “I’m A Believer”
Source: Ollie Atkins, White House photographer / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1968
> Cost of a date: $11.71
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $2.62
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $9.09
> Best love song: Herb Alpert – “This Guy’s in Love with You”
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Source: NASA / Wikimedia Commons
1969
> Cost of a date: $12.49
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $2.84
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $9.65
> Best love song: The Archies – “Sugar, Sugar”
Source: CBS Television / Wikimedia Commons
1970
> Cost of a date: $13.46
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $3.10
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $10.36
> Best love song: The Carpenters – “(They Long to Be) Close to You”
Source: Leena A. Krohn / Wikimedia Commons
1971
> Cost of a date: $14.19
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $3.30
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $10.89
> Best love song: The Temptations – “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)”
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Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1972
> Cost of a date: $14.73
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $3.40
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $11.33
> Best love song: Roberta Flack – “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Source: sterferg / Wikimedia Commons
1973
> Cost of a date: $15.74
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $3.52
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $12.22
> Best love song: Paul McCartney & Wings – “My Love”
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Source: ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons
1974
> Cost of a date: $17.54
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $3.78
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $13.76
> Best love song: Love Unlimited Orchestra – “Love’s Theme”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: O'Halloran, Thomas J. / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1975
> Cost of a date: $19.16
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $4.10
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $15.06
> Best love song: Captain & Tennille – “Love Will Keep Us Together”
Source: White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library / Wikimedia Commons
1976
> Cost of a date: $20.34
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $4.26
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $16.08
> Best love song: Elton John & Kiki Dee – “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
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Source: Derzsi Elekes Andor / Wikimedia Commons
1977
> Cost of a date: $21.76
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $4.46
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $17.30
> Best love song: The Emotions – “Best of My Love”
Source: Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
1978
> Cost of a date: $23.56
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $4.68
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $18.88
> Best love song: Debby Boone – “You Light Up My Life”
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Source: Thomas J. O'Halloran, U.S. News & World Report / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1979
> Cost of a date: $26.02
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $5.04
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $20.98
> Best love song: Peaches & Herb – “Reunited”
Source: Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons
1980
> Cost of a date: $28.43
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $5.38
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $23.05
> Best love song: Smokey Robinson – “Cruisin”
Source: White House Photographic Office / The National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1981
> Cost of a date: $30.68
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $5.56
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $25.12
> Best love song: Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – “Endless Love”
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
1982
> Cost of a date: $32.36
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $5.88
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $26.48
> Best love song: John Cougar – “Hurts So Good”
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1983
> Cost of a date: $33.94
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $6.30
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $27.64
> Best love song: Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle – “You and I”
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Source: Marcin Wichary / Wikimedia Commons
1984
> Cost of a date: $35.52
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $6.72
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $28.80
> Best love song: Lionel Richie – “Hello”
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1985
> Cost of a date: $37.03
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $7.10
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $29.93
> Best love song: Foreigner – “I Want to Know What Love Is”
Source: A1C Nancy Smelser / Wikimedia Commons
1986
> Cost of a date: $38.51
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $7.42
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $31.09
> Best love song: Peter Cetera – “Glory Of Love”
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Source: Virginia Tehan / Wikimedia Commons
1987
> Cost of a date: $40.15
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $7.82
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $32.33
> Best love song: Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”
Source: National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons
1988
> Cost of a date: $41.88
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.22
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $33.66
> Best love song: INXS – “Need You Tonight”
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Source: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1989
> Cost of a date: $43.19
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $7.98
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $35.21
> Best love song: Debbie Gibson – “Lost In Your Eyes”
Source: Andrew Thomas / Wikimedia Commons
1990
> Cost of a date: $45.31
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.44
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $36.87
> Best love song: Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville – “Don’t Know Much”
Source: U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
1991
> Cost of a date: $46.53
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.42
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $38.11
> Best love song: Bryan Adams – “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”
Source: Gary B. Edstrom / Wikimedia Commons
1992
> Cost of a date: $47.18
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.30
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $38.88
> Best love song: Shanice – “I Love Your Smile”
Source: Official White House photograph / Wikimedia Commons
1993
> Cost of a date: $47.86
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.28
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $39.58
> Best love song: UB40 – “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
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Source: Andrea Booher / FEMA / Wikimedia Commons
1994
> Cost of a date: $48.63
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.36
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $40.27
> Best love song: All-4-One – “I Swear”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: NASA / Wikimedia Commons
1995
> Cost of a date: $49.88
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.70
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $41.18
> Best love song: Seal – “Kiss from a Rose”
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1996
> Cost of a date: $51.04
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $8.84
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $42.20
> Best love song: Celine Dion – “Because You Loved Me”
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Source: Kees de Vos / Wikimedia Commons
1997
> Cost of a date: $52.57
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $9.18
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $43.39
> Best love song: Monica – “For You I Will”
Source: Flickr user Kevin Jarrett / Wikimedia Commons
1998
> Cost of a date: $53.90
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $9.38
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $44.52
> Best love song: Shania Twain – “You’re Still the One”
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Source: Grj23 / Wikimedia Commons
1999
> Cost of a date: $55.79
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $10.16
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $45.63
> Best love song: Sixpence None the Richer – “Kiss Me”
Source: Rob Boudon / Wikimedia Commons
2000
> Cost of a date: $57.49
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $10.78
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $46.71
> Best love song: Faith Hill – “Breathe”
Source: SFC Thomas R. Roberts / Wikimedia Commons
2001
> Cost of a date: $59.38
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $11.32
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $48.06
> Best love song: Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule – “I’m Real”
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
2002
> Cost of a date: $60.90
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $11.62
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $49.28
> Best love song: Vanessa Carlton – “A Thousand Miles”
Source: National Archive Catalog / Wikimedia Commons
2003
> Cost of a date: $62.39
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $12.06
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $50.33
> Best love song: Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z – “Crazy in Love”
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Source: Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2004
> Cost of a date: $64.24
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $12.42
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $51.82
> Best love song: Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You”
Source: Jocelyn Augustino / Wikimedia Commons
2005
> Cost of a date: $66.27
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $12.82
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $53.45
> Best love song: Mariah Carey – “We Belong Together”
Source: Kjetil Ree / Wikimedia Commons
2006
> Cost of a date: $68.21
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $13.10
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $55.11
> Best love song: James Blunt – “You’re Beautiful”
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Source: Ben Stanfield / Wikimedia Commons
2007
> Cost of a date: $70.87
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $13.76
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $57.11
> Best love song: Plain White T’s – “Hey There Delilah”
Source: CODEPINK Women For Peace / Wikimedia Commons
2008
> Cost of a date: $73.99
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $14.36
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $59.63
> Best love song: Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love”
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Source: Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2009
> Cost of a date: $76.70
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $15.00
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $61.70
> Best love song: Taylor Swift – “Love Story”
Source: Thinkstock
2010
> Cost of a date: $78.27
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $15.78
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $62.49
> Best love song: B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ On You”
Source: David Shankbone / Wikimedia Commons
2011
> Cost of a date: $79.81
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $15.86
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $63.95
> Best love song: Bruno Mars – “Just The Way You Are”
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Source: New Jersey National Guard / Wikimedia Commons
2012
> Cost of a date: $81.69
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $15.92
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $65.77
> Best love song: Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”
Source: White House / Sonya Hebert / Wikimedia Commons
2013
> Cost of a date: $83.44
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $16.26
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $67.18
> Best love song: Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
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Source: TechCrunch / Wikimedia Commons
2014
> Cost of a date: $85.15
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $16.34
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $68.81
> Best love song: John Legend – “All of Me”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Difference engine / Wikimedia Commons
2015
> Cost of a date: $87.64
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $16.86
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $70.78
> Best love song: Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Source: Krassotkin, Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
2016
> Cost of a date: $89.90
> Avg. cost of two movie tickets: $17.30
> Avg. cost of dinner for two: $72.60
> Best love song: Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla – “One Dance”
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