Whether you’ve been dating for several months, married for years, or are going on a date with someone for the first time, an entertaining and romantic outing can be appreciated by all. And in the midst of trying to impress your sweetheart, it’s wise to be mindful of the cost.
The team at 24/7 Wall St. investigated the date scene. We calculated the average cost of a typical date — a trio of drinks, dinner and a movie for two — in each state. If you live in North Dakota, you’re in luck. The average date for two in the state costs approximately $80.74, which is about $20 below the national average of $101.81. A classy night out in the tropical yet distant state of Hawaii is a different story, with the average cost of a date tallying up to $139.12 — the most of any state.
Maybe the quintessential dinner paired with a movie is outdated or out of your price range, in which case you can opt for many other fun activities such as touring a museum, going dutch on a bed and breakfast, or hiking a mountainous terrain.
Click here to see the average cost of a date in each state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Not only does the cost of a typical date differ in each state, but the available date options also vary too. For example, a unique date in New Hampshire might include spending the afternoon ascending Mount Monadnock, the second most climbed mountain in the world. People in the flat state of Oklahoma, on the other hand, can attend the monthly Exchange on Film Row event in Oklahoma City.
Find out how much wining, dining, and movie-watching costs on average in your state, and add a new date idea to your bucket list along the way.
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1. Alabama
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $99.35 (20th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 25 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Restaurants: 155 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Date idea: Explore the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, paying $24 general admission for one adult.
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2. Alaska
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $102.41 (23rd highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 75 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Restaurants: 153 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Date idea: Go for a 6-mile roundtrip hike at Flattop Trail in Anchorage — a great idea if you’re trying to save money.
Source: Phovoir / Shutterstock.com
3. Arizona
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $101.93 (24th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 25 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Restaurants: 118 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Date idea: Go horseback riding at one of several ranches in Tucson.
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4. Arkansas
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $91.07 (9th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 32 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Restaurants: 157 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Date idea: Learn to belay for under $10 and climb for around $25 at a rock climbing center in Little Rock.
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5. California
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $138.52 (2nd highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 54 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Restaurants: 168 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Date idea: Head over to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles to enjoy concert.
Source: Kris Wiktor / Shutterstock.com
6. Colorado
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $105.38 (19th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 54 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Restaurants: 182 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Date idea: Hang in one of Colorado’s many hot springs.
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7. Connecticut
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $117.67 (9th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 51 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Restaurants: 196 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Date idea: Visit one of the 24 vineyards along the Connecticut Wine Trail for a smooth glass of wine paired with decadent cheese.
Source: Kzenon / Shutterstock.com
8. Delaware
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $103.86 (22nd highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 45 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Restaurants: 180 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Date idea: Eat at one, two, or all of the restaurants along the Delaware Culinary Trail.
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9. Florida
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $109.56 (16th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 50 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Restaurants: 170 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Date idea: Skip the expensive park admission and instead go for a stroll along Disney’s Boardwalk in Orlando.
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10. Georgia
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $109.82 (14th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 35 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Restaurants: 165 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Date idea: Visit the world’s second largest aquarium in Atlanta.
Source: Maridav / Shutterstock.com
11. Hawaii
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $139.12 (the highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 43 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Restaurants: 214 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Date idea: Get away to Waimea Canyon State Park, located in the scenic Island of Kaua’i — it’s free!
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Source: Wollertz / Shutterstock.com
12. Idaho
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $100.70 (23rd lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 57 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Restaurants: 160 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Date idea: With the second most drive-in theaters per capita in the nation, Idaho is the perfect place to catch a flick outdoors — for just around $7 a head.
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13. Illinois
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $118.25 (8th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 43 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Restaurants: 165 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Date idea: Partake in a game of Whirlyball — a cross between basketball, lacrosse, and bumper cars in either Chicago, Lombard, or Vernon Hills.
Source: LaNae Christenson / Shutterstock.com
14. Indiana
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $98.06 (16th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 32 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Restaurants: 152 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Date idea: Pretend you’re in Venice by enjoying a romantic gondola ride in the state capital for $25 … and a 20% tip.
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15. Iowa
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $87.31 (6th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 47 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Restaurants: 154 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Date idea: Go ice or roller skating in Central Iowa, a perfect opportunity to squeeze your loved one’s hand nice and tight!
Source: RossHelen / Shutterstock.com
16. Kansas
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $84.46 (3rd lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 31 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Restaurants: 156 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Date idea: Zip your way through Kansas City and over the Kansas River — on a zipline of course. Expect to pay anywhere from $59 to $99 per person depending on the tour.
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17. Kentucky
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $98.96 (18th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 34 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Restaurants: 157 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Date idea: Fan of anything bourbon? Sign up for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and visit some distilleries.
Source: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
18. Louisiana
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $98.86 (17th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 35 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Restaurants: 159 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Date idea: Get a taste of history by dining at the more than 200-year-old Napoleon House.
Source: Robert J. Beyers II / Shutterstock.com
19. Maine
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $104.10 (21st highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 68 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Restaurants: 217 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Date idea: Rent a kayak or two and take it on one of Maine’s many lakes.
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Source: Lissandra Melo / Shutterstock.com
20. Maryland
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $128.03 (6th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 41 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Restaurants: 163 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Date idea: Go for a stroll on Ocean City Boardwalk.
Source: Michael Gordon / Shutterstock.com
21. Massachusetts
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $119.97 (7th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 53 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Restaurants: 200 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Date idea: Travel to Martha’s Vineyard for a myriad of fun activities, including windsurfing and film festivals.
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22. Michigan
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $105.52 (18th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 36 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Restaurants: 133 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Date idea: Rent a tandem bike and peruse through Mackinac Island.
Source: Ben Harding / Shutterstock.com
23. Minnesota
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $100.50 (22nd lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 53 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Restaurants: 146 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Date idea: Go paddleboarding with your sweetheart in one of Minnesota’s many lakes.
Source: Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com
24. Mississippi
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $94.29 (12th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 25 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Restaurants: 146 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Date idea: Put on your dancing shoes and shimmy your way through the night at Salsa Mississippi — there are free beginner lessons and late-night dance parties.
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25. Missouri
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $93.23 (10th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 35 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Restaurants: 157 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Date idea: Float in the sky via hot air balloon in various locations.
Source: Kzenon / Shutterstock.com
26. Montana
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $85.58 (5th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 129 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Restaurants: 194 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Date idea: Spa day anyone? Treat yourself and your beloved to a day of relaxation at one of the many hot spring resorts.
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27. Nebraska
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $85.02 (4th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 46 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Restaurants: 169 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Date idea: Kiss in two states at once! Stroll across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and stop halfway across — you’ll be in both Nebraska and Iowa.
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28. Nevada
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $111.33 (12th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 62 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Restaurants: 174 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Date idea: Ditch the slots and visit the Pinball Hall of Fame.
Source: goodluz / Shutterstock.com
29. New Hampshire
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $110.25 (13th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 61 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Restaurants: 211 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Date idea: Lace up your hiking boots and ascend the second most climbed mountain in the world, Mount Monadnock.
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30. New Jersey
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $128.77 (5th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 41 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Restaurants: 175 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Date idea: Enjoy a two to three hour dinner on the Hudson River on a cruise, starting from around $100.
Source: Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com
31. New Mexico
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $95.09 (13th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 36 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Restaurants: 147 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Date idea: Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway above the mountainous terrain of Albuquerque for $25.
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32. New York
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $138.44 (3rd highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 62 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Restaurants: 196 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Date idea: Rent bikes and ride around Central Park — a nice escape from the concrete jungle.
Source: Charles Chadwick Talton / Shutterstock.com
33. North Carolina
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $99.01 (19th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 39 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Restaurants: 163 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Date idea: Pack your swimsuit and hit the waves at Wrightsville Beach for an inexpensive day of fun.
Source: Shutterstock.com
34. North Dakota
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $80.74 (the lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 59 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Restaurants: 153 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Date idea: Visit the Red River Zoo in Fargo to see a variety of exotic animals, some of which are endangered, for $9.75 per person.
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35. Ohio
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $95.37 (15th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 33 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Restaurants: 160 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Date idea: Visit the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point, for a day full of rides and games.
Source: nenetus / Shutterstock.com
36. Oklahoma
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $88.97 (8th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 28 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Restaurants: 153 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Date idea: Check out the iconic Exchange on Film Row in Oklahoma City, every third Friday from May to October for music, food trucks, and films.
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Source: Cynthia Liang / Shutterstock.com
37. Oregon
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $112.55 (11th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 47 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Restaurants: 206 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Date idea: Visit one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden.
Source: Dmytro Flisak / Shutterstock.com
38. Pennsylvania
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $117.11 (10th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 38 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Restaurants: 164 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Date idea: Take the weekend to escape to one of the many cute bed and breakfasts in Pennsylvania.
Source: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
39. Rhode Island
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $105.83 (17th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 56 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Restaurants: 221 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Date idea: Visit the oldest bar in America, the White Horse Tavern in Newport, founded in 1673.
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Source: KeithBrileyPhotography / Shutterstock.com
40. South Carolina
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $95.17 (14th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 37 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Restaurants: 164 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Date idea: Go sailing in Charleston aboard one of several dolphin watching tours for $40 to $52 per person.
Source: Mny-Jhee / Shutterstock
41. South Dakota
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $82.04 (2nd lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 76 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Restaurants: 158 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Date idea: Hit the slopes and go skiing at Great Bear Recreation Park in Sioux Falls.
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Source: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com
42. Tennessee
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $100.39 (21st lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 42 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Restaurants: 151 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Date idea: Go camping in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.
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Source: Diane Garcia / Shutterstock.com
43. Texas
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $101.85 (25th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 26 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Restaurants: 145 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Date idea: Hit the ole’ rodeo in the state where cowboys and cowgirls are abundant.
Source: Zack Frank / Shutterstock.com
44. Utah
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $101.23 (24th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 41 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Restaurants: 143 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Date idea: Check out Antelope Island State Park for a wide variety of activities like mountain biking and swimming.
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Source: Joshua Resnick / Shutterstock.com
45. Vermont
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $101.77 (25th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 69 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Restaurants: 185 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Date idea: Satisfy your sweet tooth with Vermont’s classic creemee, a local’s take on soft serve ice cream.
Source: Tereshchenko Dmitry / Shutterstock.com
46. Virginia
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $109.61 (15th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 35 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Restaurants: 167 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Date idea: Hone in your adventurous side and hop in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). You can choose among over 150 ATV-specified trails in Virginia.
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Source: Shane Myers Photography / Shutterstock.com
47. Washington
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $132.16 (4th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 40 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Restaurants: 185 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Date idea: Swoon your sweetheart by taking him or her to a breathtaking waterfall — there are plenty to visit in Washington.
Source: John Brueske / Shutterstock.com
48. West Virginia
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $104.89 (20th highest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 55 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Restaurants: 152 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Date idea: Venture out to the Allegheny Mountains and hike around Blackwater Falls State Park.
Source: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
49. Wisconsin
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $93.97 (11th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 42 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Restaurants: 150 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Date idea: Load up on gas and take your loved one on a 250-mile road trip along the picturesque Wisconsin Great River Road.
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Source: Merlin74 / Shutterstock.com
50. Wyoming
> Average cost of dinner, drinks and movie for 2: $87.48 (7th lowest)
> Arts, entertainment and recreation establishments: 71 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Restaurants: 171 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Date idea: Take a trip to Fossil Butte National Monument and admire over 300 ancient fossils — and even make your own fossil imprint.
Detailed Findings and Methodology
To determine the cost of a date in each state, 24/7 Wall St. constructed an index based on measures related to the cost of dates in all 50 states. The index was applied to the national average cost of a basket of goods and services related to the typical date. The basket consists of the average U.S. price of a liter of wine in July 2017 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. price of two movie tickets in 2016 from the Movie Picture Association of America, and the national average cost of two restaurant dinners in 2016 from a Zagat survey.
Each state was given an index value based on nine measures related to the cost of goods, services, dining out, transportation and alcohol. The regional price parities for goods and services other than rents came from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and are for 2015 and received a full weighting. Consumer price indices for the cost of food away from home and for recreation by region — Northeast, South, West and Midwest — are unadjusted figures for July 2017 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and were given a half-weight. Data on the mean travel time to work from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey and the average price of a regular gallon of gasoline from AAA as of August 22, 2017 were combined into a product and given double weight. Data on the combined state sales tax rate and average local sales tax rate for each state in 2017 came from the Tax Foundation and were given a one-tenth weighting. Data on state spirit tax, wine tax, and beer tax in dollars per gallon for 2016 also came from the Tax Foundation, and were each given a one-tenth weight. All data are for the most recent period available.
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