Why Atlanta is the best city for singles, according to new analysis

The city’s recreational and dating opportunities help to propel it to the top of WalletHub’s list

Cheap dates to take in Atlanta In love with a beer connoisseur? Take him or her on a tour of the Sweetwater Brewery for about $16. Like to laugh? You and your love can enjoy an evening at the Whole World Improv Theatre for $10 or less on Thursday nights. Enjoy a drive-in movie for two at Starlight for $18. Take your bae for tacos on Tuesdays at Mother Bar & Restaurant for less than $20. On selects dates, you and your date can enjoy the view at High Museum of Art for free.

Country music singer Johnny Lee once crooned he was “looking for love in all the wrong places.” He must not have been in Atlanta.

That’s because personal finance website WalletHub has named Atlanta the No. 1 city in the U.S. for single people.

To determine the best cities for unmarried people WalletHub compared 182 cities — the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) economics, 2) fun and recreation and 3) dating opportunities.

Those three dimensions were then evaluated using 35 key metrics, each of which was worth 100 points.

» This is the best place to hike in Atlanta, according to AJC readers

When all the points were added up, Atlanta came out on top, with a score of 69.27.

Atlanta earned a 50.71 for economics, which includes restaurant meal costs, average beer and wine price, movie and theater costs, etc. That low score might have been influenced by Georgia’s average cost of a date, which at $121.12 is above the national average of $102.32.

» Average cost of a date in Georgia is $121.12. Here's how to slash that price

The city scored a 72.15 for fun and recreation, which includes number of attractions, restaurants per capita, parks, nightlife, weather, music festivals and more.

Atlanta scored highest for dating opportunities, with a 79.72. That score is determined by the share of single population, gender balance, online dating opportunities, mobile dating opportunities and “most active Tinder users.”

Atlanta wasn’t the only Georgia city to make the list.

Augusta, east of Atlanta near the South Carolina state line, was No. 110 out of the 182 cities on WalletHub’s list. Augusta scored a 49.47 overall, with a 47 in economics, 180 for fun and recreation, and 89 for dating opportunities.

If you’re looking for some dating ideas, check out our Best of Atlanta series:

» Best movie theater in Atlanta

» This is best music festival in Atlanta

» Best late-night spot

» Best bowling venue in Atlanta

» Best rooftop bar in Atlanta

And check out all of our Best of Atlanta winners so far this year.