love is in the air

Texas scores whole lotta love as No. 2 state for dating in U.S.

Texas has the highest number of restaurants per capita, the report found.

Good news for singles living in the Lone Star State as Valentine's Day approaches: That lonely feeling may not last long.

In the latest edition of WalletHub's annual "Best and Worst States for Singles" report, Texas overtook California and New York to become the No. 2 best state for dating in 2024.

Rankings were determined by comparing dating economics, opportunities, and romance and fun across all 50 states. For the second year in a row, Texas tied with California for the most movie theaters per capita, and landed in a four-way tie with California, New York, and Florida for the highest number of restaurants per capita.

Texas also received the following rankings in other categories:

No. 10 – Median annual household income (adjusted for the cost of living)
No. 18 – Mobile-dating opportunities
No. 21 – Online-dating opportunities

"If you fall in love with a Texan and want to move to the state, the good news is that there’s a high rate of employment growth, which shows that the state’s economy is doing well," the report says. "Plus, Texas residents’ search history indicates that there are a lot of people who are interested in dating online – so installing a few apps may be a good idea."

The No. 1 best state for dating in 2024 is Florida, which ranked No. 3 in 2023. Rounding out the top five best states for dating are California (No. 3), New York (No. 4), and Pennsylvania (No. 5).

Austin also ranked highly for its dating scene in a similar WalletHub report that compared over 180 U.S. cities. In that study, Austin was ranked the No. 5 best city for single people, with Seattle taking the lead for the second consecutive year. Other Texas cities that earned spots in the top 100 include Houston (No. 60), Lubbock (No. 77), El Paso (No. 85), San Antonio (No. 87), and Corpus Christi (No. 97).

WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe suggested the best destinations for single people are often those that have a variety of venues that are suitable for dates, like bars, fun new restaurants, coffee shops, and more.

"Finding love can be tough, but being in the right place can contribute to a successful relationship," Happe said. "The unfortunate tradeoff is that dating usually isn’t cheap in states that provide these ideal conditions."

As Valentine's Day approaches, keeping a few jewelry stores top of mind for a significant other may be valuable, but it's equally important to not break the bank just to impress a date. On average, Texans spend about $58 on Valentine's Day, according to a separate report by Casino.org. Residents in Houston are expected to spend the most out of all Texas cities in 2024, with a projected budget of $105.27. Dallas isn't too far behind with an estimated Valentine's Day spending budget of $79.25.

The full report and its methodology can be found at wallethub.com.

texas dating dating in texas wallethub reports

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Here's what it takes to be middle class in Houston and more top stories

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Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, including a host of openings and what it takes to maintain middle class status in Houston this year. Catch up on our hottest headlines below, then visit this guide to plan your weekend.

1. This is the income it takes to be middle class in Houston in 2026. A new study tracking the upper and lower thresholds for middle class households has revealed Houstonians have to make at least a grand more than last year to maintain their middle class status.

2. Houston restaurateur dishes on swapping Tex-Mex for new retro steakhouse. Restaurateur Ford Fry surprised Houston diners when he announced he was closing Tex-Mex restaurant Superica and replacing it with Star Rover, a casual, family-friendly steakhouse. With Star Rover now open, Fry explains the decision.

3. Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience. The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Feges BBQ Erin Patrick Feges barbecue tray Feges BBQ is in the running for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma

4. 4 Houston spots make Texas Monthly's best new restaurants of 2026 list. Texas Monthly has revealed its 10 best new restaurants for 2026, highlighting restaurants that opened between December 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025.

5. Western-inspired, family-friendly restaurant now open near the Heights. A new family-friendly restaurant has opened near the Heights. Long Weekend boasts a number of amenities, including an expansive menu, plenty of outdoor seating, and Houston’s largest outdoor play area, according to the restaurant.