Why Atlanta Is the Best City for Dating

Not every city is romantic—in fact, some of them are nightmares to date in, according to a recent study by rental site Zumper.

The study looked at the best and worst U.S. cities for singles based on median rent price, percentage of population who are single, dating satisfaction, cost of living, median income, unemployment rate, and access to dining and entertainment.

The five worst cities in the United States to date based on these factors were Bakersfield, CA; Santa Ana, CA; Anaheim, CA; Fresno, CA; and Newark, NJ, showing California has a lot left to be desired for singles ready to mingle.

"As someone who is single and dating, that percentage of other singles is a big factor, hence the weight we assigned this category in our methodology," Zumper's Michelle Polowy told Newsweek. "It's hard enough to meet people, so being in an area where there is a greater chance for connecting with other singles is important."

Newark was the only non-California city to rank so low in dating satisfaction. The study found there was a lack of entertainment options and a higher cost of living for singles living there.

In Fresno, conditions were similar, with affordability and employment opportunities also taking Anaheim to solidly dismal levels for looking singles. Santa Ana also had high living costs and few entertainment options available.

But none of these spots were as bad for dating as Bakersfield, which ranked in the study as the city with the lowest dating satisfaction levels and entertainment options.

Not everything was doom and gloom for those looking for a significant other, though.

At the top of the list for singles was Atlanta, with 57 percent of its residents living the single life. For a city, the cost of living was better than many others. The city also ranked in the top five in both the entertainment and restaurant categories, with plenty of spots to meet people as well as date night options.

But New Haven, Connecticut, was also a solid option, with 61 percent of its population unattached. Median rent is hefty at $2,697 per month, but despite this, Boston remained a vibrant city for singles. Singles comprise more than 58 percent of the city population, and the restaurant and entertainment scenes are thriving. Median non-family income was also relatively high at $75,252.

Meanwhile, those in Gilbert, Arizona, were most likely to rate their dating lives with high satisfaction.

The full top 10 were Atlanta; St. Louis; Minneapolis; Boston; Madison, WI; Washington, D.C.; Orlando, FL; Salt Lake City; Richmond, VA; and Pittsburgh.

Jeremy Scott Foster, the founder and CEO of TravelFreak, has visited both Atlanta and Santa Ana and told Newsweek that the two cities do indeed represent two extremes of the dating spectrum.

"In Atlanta, the allure of the city and its diverse population present a plethora of opportunities for singles seeking companionship," Foster said. "My own experiences and interactions with women in the city have led me to believe that the single population is indeed substantial."

Atlanta is also a city with a high number of dating app users and people eager to take advantage of the nightlife and cultural activities.

Meanwhile, Santa Ana presented a host of challenges for singles looking to date, Foster said. While individual experiences may vary, some statistical variables, like number of singles, entertainment and cost of living, will invariably make the dating scene harder.

"The city's perceived lack of safety has created a negative stigma, discouraging individuals from exploring its potential dating scene," Foster said. "While this perception may not accurately reflect the city's true character, it has undoubtedly impacted its reputation as a desirable location for romantic pursuits."