True love is priceless, but not the cost to celebrate it on Valentine’s Day, according to WalletHub, the personal finance website.
This year, Americans collectively will spend $27.4 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts—from greeting cards to jewelry to a special night out—with the average lovebird shelling out $196.31. That’s an increase of 32% from 2019. But spending more is not a guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth either.
Roughly 31% of people expect their Valentine to spend at least $50 on a gift, according to WalletHub’s 2020 Valentine’s Day Survey. In fact, more than half of all women surveyed (53%) said they would break up with their significant other if they got nothing for Valentine’s Day.
An extravagant gesture does not ensure everlasting love either. WalletHub says that 43 million Americans said they received an unwanted Valentine’s Day gift in 2019 at a total cost of $9.5 billion, and more than four in 10 people surveyed said they would break up with their significant other if he or she spent irresponsibly.
Being in the right place on the right budget will make the holiday a memorable one for you both. To help lovers find that happy affordable medium, WalletHub played Cupid by comparing 100 of the largest U.S. cities across four key dimensions of budget, activities, gift accessibility and weather forecast. WalletHub then determined each city’s weighted average across 26 metrics used to calculate overall score, which it used to rank-order its sample cities, with 100 being the most romantic and cost-effective.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 best places to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2020.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Whether you’re in a committed relationship or committed to a good time, Chicago is the place to go on a Valentine’s Day date. This Midwest Mecca for good times ranked sixth in gift accessibility and third in activities, but 38th in weather and 72nd in budget. Total Score: 66.28.
9. Scottsdale, Arizona
You and your honey will find sunny skies, spa resorts and golf courses galore in this affordable desert oasis. Scottsdale ranks first in weather forecast, ninth in budget, 19th in gift accessibility, and 34th in activities. Total Score: 67.05.
8. Portland, Oregon
This eco-friendly city is known for its coffeehouses and microbreweries, but the two of you can also find plenty of V-Day dinners and parties worth attending, too. The city ranks 15th in budget, 11th in gift accessibility and seventh in activities, but 83rd in weather. Total Score: 67.23.
7. Orlando, Florida
This year, skip the flowers and chocolates and spend Valentine’s Day in this fun Southern city, home to more than a dozen theme parks. Orlando ranks fifth in gift accessibility, eighth in activities, 17th in weather forecast, but 65th in budget. Total Score: 67.89.
6. Seattle, Washington
This romantic West Coast port city ranks fourth with the lowest average ticket price for a Valentine’s Day party and most chocolate shops per capita. It ranks sixth in both budget and activities and 13th in gift accessibility, but 83rd in weather. Total Score: 71.07.
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
Put some spice in your love lives by visiting Sin City. Las Vegas ranks fifth in both the most florists and the most chocolate shops per capita. It ranks fourth in activities and third in gift accessibility, but 26th in weather forecast and 48th in budget. Total Score: 71.21.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Your hearts will pound as a setting sun bathes this tropical paradise in multi-colored splendor. Honolulu ranks fifth with most jewelry shops per capita, seventh for gift accessibility, tenth for weather forecast, 14th for activities and 23rd for budget. Total Score: 72.05.
3. San Diego, California
Visit San Diego on V-Day for a glorious gondola ride through the canals and waterways of the Coronado Cays. Complimentary chocolate truffles included. The city ranks tenth in both gift accessibility and budget, 11th in activities and 18th in weather. Total Score: 73.13.
2. New York, New York
In the city that never sleeps, you and your V-Day date can still find plenty of affordable fun and romance. New York is tied for first with most jewelry stores, florists and chocolate shops per capita, and ranks first in both activities and gift accessibility; 32nd in weather forecast and 75th in budget. Total Score: 73.63.
1. San Francisco, California
Take little cable cars halfway to the stars in romantic San Francisco. The city is tied for first with most chocolate shops per capita, and ranks fourth with most jewelry stores per capital, second in activities, seventh in budget, eighth in gift accessibility, but 61st in weather forecast. Total Score: 78.51.
