A claim spreading across social media suggests that “the average man in a relationship spends around $15,000 a year on their partner after paying for dinner, dates, and gifts,” citing a supposed 2025 LendingTree report. However, a review of LendingTree’s research shows no evidence supporting the figure, which appears exaggerated and misattributed.
According to LendingTree’s actual 2025 findings:
- Men in relationships plan to spend about $258 on Valentine’s Day, compared to women’s $106.
- Across all dating stages (from first dates to married couples), Americans spend about $2,279 a year on dates — not $15,000. That breaks down to an average of $168 per date.
- The first date? It typically costs around $77, with men covering the tab nearly 90% of the time.
Other studies back up the idea that men generally spend more than women when it comes to dating:
- A BMO Financial Progress Index survey found millennial men in committed relationships spend the most — about $252 per date. Gen Z daters spend a little less, averaging $194.
- Research from Self Financial showed men spend about $67.87 per date, compared to women’s $56.54.
- A 2025 CouponPi study reported that the average American spends $6,138 a year on relationships, with married couples spending more than $8,143.
Still, even with these higher averages, the math doesn’t add up to $15,000 a year.
So where does all that money go? The most oversized line items include eating out ($1,624 per year), concerts and sporting events ($1,569), casual outings like coffee or museums ($1,203), and gifts ($559).
And the pressure is real. LendingTree found that 14% of Americans have gone into debt for dating, with men more than twice as likely as women to swipe their cards beyond their means. More than half of daters say they feel stressed about the cost of relationships, and two-thirds say inflation has made things worse.
Yes, men spend more on dates and gifts than women — usually about 20–40% more. But based on fundamental research, that generally adds up to $2,000–$3,000 a year.
It’s still a lot of money (and stress), but not the viral $15,000 being shared online. Experts say the best way to manage the cost of love is to talk openly with your partner about money, set limits, and avoid going into debt for romance.
Because when it comes to dating, the truth is already expensive enough — no exaggeration required.
