PENNSYLVANIA — With Valentine’s Day approaching, romance is colliding head-on with reality, as a new national survey finds many singles are quietly running the numbers before committing to a relationship — and in Pennsylvania, a weak credit score may be a deal-breaker.
A survey of 1,500 singles conducted by financial media company MarketBeat found that Pennsylvanians would reject a potential partner with a credit score under 509, reflecting a growing emphasis on financial stability as inflation and rising living costs reshape dating priorities.
Nationally, singles draw the line even lower, saying a credit score of 504 or below is an automatic rejection. But expectations vary sharply by state, revealing stark differences in how Americans weigh money and romance.
The toughest standards belong to the Dakotas. Singles in North Dakota expect a minimum credit score of 600, the highest in the country, followed by South Dakota at 591. Researchers said the high bar may reflect stronger borrowing habits and lower delinquency rates in those states, where responsible money management is often assumed rather than negotiated.
New York ranked among the strictest states as well, with singles setting a cutoff at 575. Analysts said the state’s high cost of living likely forces daters to scrutinize financial discipline more closely, turning a partner’s credit profile into a practical concern rather than a superficial one.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, West Virginia singles proved the most forgiving, willing to date someone with a score as low as 472. The survey suggested that residents there may place greater value on personal connection than financial metrics.
Pennsylvania landed squarely in the middle. With a minimum expectation of 509, the state’s singles appear pragmatic rather than demanding, seeking stability without requiring pristine credit. MarketBeat said the results suggest many Pennsylvanians view poor credit not as a moral failing, but as avoidable turbulence they would rather not add to a relationship.
Beyond credit scores, the survey revealed the financial behaviors most likely to derail a budding romance. Constant borrowing from friends or family ranked highest, cited by 27 percent of respondents, followed by large hidden debts at 21 percent and living paycheck to paycheck with no intention to budget at 19 percent. Risky behaviors such as day trading, get-rich-quick schemes, and crypto gambling also raised red flags.
Hidden debt proved especially sensitive. About 11 percent of singles said undisclosed debt would immediately end a relationship, while 63 percent said they would want an explanation before deciding whether to move forward.
Some financial habits, however, boosted romantic appeal. Keeping an emergency fund and maintaining regular savings topped the list, followed closely by paying off credit cards in full each month.
Transparency also mattered once relationships became serious. Forty-one percent of singles said they expect full disclosure of income, savings, and debt, while only 3 percent said they expected minimal transparency.
Long-term planning emerged as another fault line. Forty-four percent of respondents said discovering that someone in their 30s or 40s had no retirement plan was a major red flag, and 67 percent overall agreed that financial incompatibility is a valid reason to end a relationship.
“Money doesn’t replace romance, but it absolutely shapes it,” said MarketBeat founder Matt Paulson. “What this study shows is that singles aren’t necessarily looking for wealth — they want stability. In an unpredictable economy, financial responsibility is becoming as attractive as chemistry or shared values.”
The survey suggests that for many singles this Valentine’s Day, love may still be blind — but not to a credit report.
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