How much does a perfect Valentine’s date cost in these cities? Hint: NYC is not #1
You’re never too old to celebrate a traditional Valentine’s Day, complete with flowers, chocolate, a romantic dinner for two, and maybe a bottle of wine. But if you’re watching your budget or on a fixed income in retirement, you might find even mid-range options to be unaffordable in these 10 US cities.
Let’s look at how much celebrating Valentine’s Day can cost in 10 of the most expensive cities in the US. To come up with these numbers, the folks at digital entertainment platform JB.com added the costs of a movie for two, a box of chocolates, a dozen roses, a three-course meal, a bottle of wine and coffee for two.
Spending in San Francisco
San Francisco, a city known for high real estate prices, also tipped the scales for the priciest Valentine’s Day date. Dinner for two, on average, costs $145 in the Bay Area city, without even considering pricier luxury restaurants. A dozen roses runs more than $100, and an average bottle of wine costs $19.
If you want to treat your date to chocolate, expect to shell out $58 for a heart-shaped box.
But there is some good news, according to another study from BLogic Systems. San Francisco also offers top-rated restaurant food across five popular cuisines: Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Indian.
So you might be paying a pretty penny, but you’ll have your choice of dining locations, with 336 restaurants per 100 square miles.
New York City entertainment expenses
New York City comes in just behind San Francisco, with the average date costing $370. Movie tickets tip the scales in the city that never sleeps, averaging $60 for two. A restaurant meal will cost $140, on average, while a dozen roses could set you back nearly $100.
Like San Francisco, New York has many choices when it comes to food. The city has 944 restaurants per 100 square miles, including more than 28,000 Italian restaurants and 657 Chinese restaurants more than 100 years old.
Whether you’re grabbing Dim Sum or a slice of pizza, it’s easy to find affordable eats well below the city’s average cost, along with free activities so you can spend less and still create a memorable evening.
Your Boston budget for Valentine’s Day
Boston is roughly $20 cheaper than New York or San Francisco for the perfect Valentine’s Day date, coming in at $349, total. Dinner and a movie should cost $150, combined, which is significantly less than New York or San Francisco.
If you want to save money, skip the flowers or choose a variety other than roses. A dozen roses runs $120 in Boston.
Known for local seafood and Irish pubs, Boston also has plenty of choices in world cuisine, with 483 ethnic restaurants per 100 square miles, according to BLogic. You’ll find a wide variety of Indian restaurants, including some with Michelin stars.
Show your love while saving money
If $300+ seems excessive for the stereotypical “perfect” Valentine’s Day date, redefine “perfect” with your partner.
Cook a meal at home for a fraction of the cost and set out a fancy tablecloth and candles to create romantic ambiance. Choose your partner’s favorite snacks, which you may find for less than the cost of Valentine’s-themed chocolates.
Most people love fresh flowers, but you can bring home a bouquet another day when florists haven’t elevated prices. Or, shop BJ’s, Costco, or Trader Joe’s for gorgeous blooms at bargain prices.
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