1 in 5 Younger People Want Dating Apps to Show This Financial Detail—And It’s Not Income

Dating apps may have a reputation for focusing on looks, but plenty of daters want to dive deeper than physical appearances. One area they’re wading into is finances, with 20% of Gen Z and millennials wishing to see your credit score and financial habits before swiping, according to a survey by Credit One Bank.

Granted, the majority of daters still want to keep their finances private until things get serious. But the sizable percentage who do want to know intimate details like your credit score speaks to societal changes.

U.S. credit scores are dropping year over year, with many young people struggling with financial issues like student loan debt. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been going through a so-called dating recession, with higher rates of singleness stemming from factors like pandemic-era isolation. Plus, 80% of Gen Z report feeling lonely, potentially due to factors such as social media.

Disclosing your credit score won’t fix society’s challenges, but it might help break down walls to reach your future partner—especially if you both appreciate healthy financial habits.

A High Credit Score Can Earn You Points With Dates

If you’re struggling to make connections on dating apps, opening up about your financial history could win you more dates.

Over 50% of respondents in the Credit One survey said that someone with a high credit score seems more attractive, despite just 20% saying they want dating apps to divulge credit scores. That suggests that plenty of people are shy about sharing their own financial backgrounds, but seeing that you have a good financial head on your shoulders could make you more appealing.

Indeed, a Credit Karma survey found 60% of people who have ever used a dating app would choose a dating profile with an “excellent” score of 790 versus the same profile without a credit score.

Granted, that leaves about 40% who prefer not knowing; 9% of these respondents even said that the “excellent” score was too high, suggesting that some daters prefer to be with someone in a similar financial position, even if that means more financial struggles.

But Young People’s Scores Are Falling

Given the interest in credit scores and the feelings of isolation so many young people have, it’s understandable if you want to use this information to find your match.

Yet don’t assume that you need a high credit score to find love. For one, FICO credit scores fell on average by two points to 715 in the past year, the largest one-year drop since the Great Recession. Typically, scores have been rising in recent years, but issues such as the end of pandemic subsidies and the resumption of student loan delinquencies have affected scores.

That, combined with issues like inflation, helps explain why Gen Z has fared even worse, with average credit scores falling by three points over the past year to 676—the largest drop and lowest average score among all age groups.

But don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling. Plenty of people are willing to get serious with someone who has questionable credit, and if you’re taking steps to improve, that can go a long way in a relationship.

Similarly, Credit Karma found that 32% would choose a profile that has a credit score that “needs work,” because they appreciate the transparency. While that does indicate a majority are turned off by this disclosure, there’s still a big pool of daters who would rather know the real you, credit warts and all. Of those who would swipe right on the “needs work” profile, 53% said they appreciate the transparency.

Why Credit and Money Are Dating Criteria

There are plenty of stereotypes and pop culture references related to themes like “can’t buy me love.” But while you don’t need to be rich to get a date, the reality is that finances do play a major role in relationships.

As understanding as your partner may be, financial issues like bad credit and rising debt can stand in the way of goals like buying a home and affording childcare. Many studies show that finances are one of the top issues that couples fight about.

But if you and your partner can get on the same financial page, that can make for a strong relationship. Research shows that couples who combine their finances and have high levels of agreement on spending and saving report greater satisfaction with their finances.

Moreover, research shows that merging finances helps with marriage quality beyond the newlywed phase.

If you’re serious about settling down, being upfront about your finances could help you find a better match. Not everyone wants to know your credit score right away. Still, if you personally value this information and want to find a partner in a similar financial position, it can be valuable to share. Even if you don’t have excellent credit, maybe you can bond with someone else whose score is a work in progress.

In that sense, your financial history is like any other attribute, with some attracted to it and others repelled. Think of how some prefer bookworms over gym rats, and vice versa. There’s no pleasing everyone. But if you find finances important, there’s a significant pool of daters who want to go down that road from the first swipe.