10 Best Cities for Single Men

Last Updated: Apr 24, 2019
6 min read

So, we covered the best cities for young professionals. But what happens when those young professionals are looking for love?

We’ve got you.

The number of bars within walking distance and gender ratios are paramount—we want to find you places with lots of singles of the opposite sex and plenty of places to meet them. Note: if you prefer the same sex we’re working on that list.

That being said, we have a detailed formula for ranking the best cities for singles in the United States.

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: the more bars and clubs in a city, the more places you’ll have to meet single ladies
% of population age 20-30: the more people around who are close to you in age, the more friends you’ll make and fun you’ll have
Median age: ditto
Unemployment rate: jobs are a great place to meet people, plus you’ll need money to go out
Male/Female ratio: the lower this is, the more women there are for each man
% of population unmarried: we’re not casting for Indecent Proposal or Unfaithful sequels here fellas
1 bedroom average rent: you’ll need a fun crash pad with plenty of space for activities

If you’re thinking about moving, check out our moving costs estimator and city guides to answer all those burning questions you have.

Let’s get to it!

10. Knoxville, Tennessee

Index Score: 64.25/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 3
Percent of population age 20-30: 22%
Median age: 33.1
Unemployment rate: 4.6%
Male/Female ratio: 0.925
Percent of population unmarried: 56%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $770

First up on our list is Knoxville, home to the University of Tennessee and nightlife institution Sassy Ann’s. According to Yelp, the drinks at Sassy Ann’s are “strong and cheap, and the people are open.”

If you’re not as much into the party scene, Downtown Knoxville is a great place to meet people or take a date for a walk. Coffee & Chocolate is an especially popular spot.

9. St. Louis, Missouri

Index Score: 67.01/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 20
Percent of population age 20-30: 18%
Median age: 35
Unemployment rate: 4.3%
Male/Female ratio: 0.934
Percent of population unmarried: 63%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $820

For having a population a bit on the older side (median age of 35), a remarkable number of people in St. Louis are unmarried (63%). There is also a very happening nightlife—International Tap House is an especially classy and popular chain of four bars.

St. Louis is also a HUGE sports town, and Cardinals baseball games in the summer are a popular date destination.

8. Cleveland, Ohio

Index Score: 68.62/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 14
Percent of population age 20-30: 17%
Median age: 36
Unemployment rate: 4.5%
Male/Female ratio: 0.921
Percent of population unmarried: 65%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $610

Like St. Louis, Cleveland has a bit of an older population, but one that’s chock full of single, unmarried people. It’s also incredibly inexpensive, with a one bedroom average rent of $610 per month.

The Museum of Contemporary Art has free admission the first Saturday of every month! This website put together a great list of date ideas, thirty-five in all!

Cleveland, like St. Louis, is one of the best places in America to be single in your dirty thirties.

7. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Index Score: 69.02/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 4
Percent of population age 20-30: 22%
Median age: 31.2
Unemployment rate: 5%
Male/Female ratio: 0.905
Percent of population unmarried: 61%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $1,060

Baton Rouge is very similar to Knoxville: big college town that’s football crazy. The population is young, and the male/female ratio is very favorable (if you know what I mean fellas).

Tailgating LSU football games is probably the most popular party in town, but if you’re more lowkey, check out Movie Tavern, where you can watch movies and order gourmet eats and cocktails.

6. Baltimore, Maryland

Index Score: 69.14/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 9
Percent of population age 20-30: 18%
Median age: 34.7
Unemployment rate: 4.4%
Male/Female ratio: 0.874
Percent of population unmarried: 64%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $1,360

Baltimore might not have a widespread reputation as a great place for singles, but there’s tons of unmarried people (64%) and the second best male/female ratio on our list.

Orioles baseball games are super popular, and Pimlico Raceway is right around the corner. Pimlico is also home to the Moonrise Festival, one of the most popular dance music festivals every summer on the east coast.

5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Index Score: 69.48/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 19
Percent of population age 20-30: 25%
Median age: 32.9
Unemployment rate: 5.5%
Male/Female ratio: 0.907
Percent of population unmarried: 61%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $1,120

Pittsburgh is a very vibrant town with a full 25% of its population between the ages of 20 and 30. Pittsburgh is one of the most passionate sports cities in the country, so if you’re either casually into sports or not at all, it may be best to choose another city.

But if you go with the ‘Burgh, be aware that it has a very unique dating clique.

4. Detroit, Michigan

Index Score: 71.15/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 11
Percent of population age 20-30: 16%
Median age: 34.8
Unemployment rate: 5.4%
Male/Female ratio: 0.891
Percent of population unmarried: 67%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $600

Detroit might get a bad rap, but it’s a fantastic place if you’re a single guy. A full two-thirds of the population is unmarried, and there are more than 100 women for every 90 dudes. In simple terms, there are lots of single women.

3. Boston, Massachusetts

Index Score: 77.87/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 14
Percent of population age 20-30: 21%
Median age: 31.1
Unemployment rate: 2.6%
Male/Female ratio: 0.92
Percent of population unmarried: 66%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $2,750

Like Detroit, Boston has a huge unmarried population and a great male/female ratio. Unlike Detroit, it’s very expensive. But if you can afford it, certainly worth it. There are tons of colleges in and around town, and Fenway Park for Red Sox baseball is one of the premier summer destinations in the entire country.

2. Richmond, Virginia

Index Score: 78.05/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 6
Percent of population age 20-30: 22%
Median age: 33.6
Unemployment rate: 4.2%
Male/Female ratio: 0.871
Percent of population unmarried: 66%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $980

Coming in second on our list is Richmond, Virginia. Think of it as the Boston of the south. Lots of colleges and a tremendous amount of history—except it’s much less expensive. DC is pretty close to the north, as is Virginia Beach.

If you’re looking for an interesting date idea, take a girl to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the hidden jewels of the art world.

1. Cincinnati, Ohio

Index Score: 83.74/100

Yelp results for nightlife/square mile: 12
Percent of population age 20-30: 19%
Median age: 32.7
Unemployment rate: 4.1%
Male/Female ratio: 0.894
Percent of population unmarried: 70%
One Bedroom Average Rent: $630

Coming in at numero uno on our list is Cincinnati with a powerhouse showing. It’s inexpensive at an average monthly rent of $630. An incredible 70% of the population is unmarried, and with a male/female ratio of 90 guys per 100 girls, it beats all but three other cities on our list.

Not to mention the Sundry and Vice speakeasy, a local favorite. The city even has a full website devoted exclusively to dating!

Happy hunting!

Sources:
^1. www.census.gov
^2. www.yelp.com
^3. www.rentjungle.com