2016’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles - How Does Portland Rank?

Monday, December 05, 2016
GoLocalPDX Lifestyle Teams

Are you single? Wondering how Portland ranks for singles? Well, a new study has all the data and the ultimate ranking for the best cities in the U.S. for singles.

About 109 million, or 45 percent, of the U.S. adult population are single.

See How Portland and All the Cities Rank Below

"The only problem with being a member of such a large unmarried group, informally known as “America’s Singles Club,” is that your prospects need to live within a drivable or walkable distance — unless you and your future beau can tolerate a completely or partially virtual relationship," writes WalletHub in its new study.

Portland ranks #25 in the U.S.

"With your love life in mind, our data team compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities based on 29 key indicators of a location conducive to a healthy single-but-looking disposition. Our data set ranges from “share of single population” to “number of online dating opportunities” to 'nightlife options per capita.' Continue reading below for the winners, expert dating advice and a full description of our methodology."

Methodology

In order to identify the best cities for singles, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across three key dimensions: 1) Dating Economics, 2) Romance & Fun and 3) Dating Opportunities.

We evaluated those dimensions using 29 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for singles.

Finally, we calculated the overall score for each city based on its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to rank the cities accordingly.

In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.

Dating Economics - Total Points: 25

Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Average Beer & Wine Price: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Movie Costs: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Taxi-Fare Cost: Half Weight (~ 1.00 Points)
Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Haircut Costs: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Average Party-Ticket Price: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Median Annual Household Income: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Note: This metric was measured using the rent of a one-bedroom apartment (adjusted by the median annual household income).
Job Growth Rate: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Overall Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~ 2.00 Points)

Romance & Fun - Total Points: 25

Number of Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Number of Cafés per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Number of Attractions: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, museums, cultural performances and zoos.
Number of Parks per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
City Accessibility: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Walkability: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Number of Nightlife Options per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
WalletHub “Weather” Ranking: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Crime Rate: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Number of Shopping Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)
Number of Wellness & Spa Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~ 2.27 Points)

Dating Opportunities – Total Points: 50

Share of Single Population: Double Weight (~ 12.50 Points)
Singles Gender Balance: Double Weight (~ 12.50 Points)
Online Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~ 6.25 Points)
Note: This metric was measured using the percentage of households with a broadband connection.
Mobile Dating Opportunities: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
Note: This metric was measured using the percentage of adults who own a smartphone.
“Most Active Tinder Users” Ranking: Double Weight (~ 12.50 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Council for Community and Economic Research, Numbeo, Eventbrite, Esri's Updated Demographics - 2016 estimates (Market Potential: GfK MRI), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trust for Public Land, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Walk Score, Gallup-Healthways, Tinder and WalletHub research.