Higher income may boost the odds of finding a romantic partner

While money may not buy happiness in singlehood, it could increase the desire—and likelihood—of entering a relationship. A new study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that single adults with higher incomes were more likely to say they wanted a partner, felt more ready to date, and were more likely to begin a relationship within the next year. However, income was not associated with greater satisfaction in being single.

Singlehood has become more common in recent years, with nearly half of U.S. adults identifying as single and one-person households now the most common household type in Canada. Despite this trend, much of the research on finances and relationships has focused on couples—particularly how income relates to marriage, conflict, and divorce. But less is known about how money shapes the lives and attitudes of people who are not currently in a relationship.

Researchers from the University of Toronto and Carleton University wanted to understand whether single people with more financial resources are more satisfied with single life—or more interested in moving toward a romantic relationship. They were especially interested in whether higher income might signal a kind of readiness for partnership. Past studies suggest that people often want to achieve some financial stability before committing to a long-term relationship, but it’s unclear how this plays out among those who are currently single.

The research included two large studies—one based in the United States and the other in Germany—each designed to explore the link between income and relationship attitudes in single people. The studies were longitudinal, meaning they followed participants over time to see how their relationship status changed.

Study 1 included 638 U.S.-based single adults aged 25 to 35. Participants were recruited online and reported their annual income, satisfaction with being single, desire for a romantic partner, and how ready they felt to begin a relationship. They also indicated whether they intended to find a partner in the next six months. About 60% of participants completed a follow-up survey six months later, reporting whether they had entered into a romantic relationship during that period.

Study 2 drew on over a decade of data from the German Family Panel, which included 2,774 unique single individuals who reported their income, relationship attitudes, and status over multiple years. This study allowed researchers to examine how both current income and recent changes in income related to relationship outcomes one year later. It also provided an opportunity to test whether these links differed for men and women.

In both studies, higher income was not linked to greater satisfaction with singlehood. People with more money did not report enjoying their single lives more than those with less income. However, income was strongly associated with a greater desire for a romantic relationship, stronger feelings of readiness to date, and increased intent to start a relationship in the near future.

In the U.S. sample, single adults with higher income were more likely to say they wanted a partner and felt the time was right for a relationship. They also showed a greater intention to begin dating in the following six months. When surveyed again six months later, those with higher income were significantly more likely to have entered into a relationship.

The German sample echoed these findings. Participants with higher income were more likely to express a desire for a partner, and income predicted the odds of being in a relationship one year later. This effect was stronger for men than for women, though the gender difference was modest overall.

“I think that young people are making rational calculations in unstable economic conditions,” said Geoff MacDonald, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. “I think people get that they are not going to be able to enjoy a relationship if they are working 80 hours a week, or if they’re not sure where they’re going to live next year.”

Interestingly, recent changes in income—whether a participant earned more or less than the year before—had little effect on whether they wanted a relationship or actually found one. What mattered more was their current income level. This suggests that financial stability, rather than short-term financial improvement or decline, plays a larger role in shaping relationship intentions and outcomes.

Satisfaction with singlehood was generally unrelated to income in both studies. This held true even after accounting for subjective financial stress, feelings of deprivation, or worries about money. People with higher income may have had more resources and options, but this did not appear to translate into greater happiness with being single.

While the study provides evidence for a connection between income and relationship intentions, it does not prove that money causes people to want or begin relationships. Other factors—such as personality traits, life goals, or cultural values—may also play a role. The researchers focused on objective income, which is only one part of socioeconomic status. Future work could examine how other aspects, such as education level, perceived social class, or job stability, influence relationship readiness.

Another limitation is that both studies were conducted in Western countries with relatively individualistic cultures. In cultures where marriage is more closely tied to family expectations or economic arrangements, the link between income and partnering might be stronger—or take on different forms entirely. Gender norms and roles also vary across societies, and further research could explore how income affects men and women differently in contexts with less gender equality.

There are also unanswered questions about what kinds of material resources signal relationship readiness. Is it a stable income? Having one’s own apartment? Owning a car? Future studies could look more closely at these “relationship infrastructure” factors. Researchers could also explore whether higher income leads to greater confidence or a stronger sense of agency in romantic pursuit.

The study, “Making (Enough for) Love: The Association of Income and Relationship Readiness,” was authored by Johanna Peetz and Geoff MacDonald.