Solo-maxxing is the latest trend among Gen Z, but it comes with a rather sad reason: the high cost of dating. While many young people struggle to find work, an average date night in the US now costs over $200. No wonder so many are resigning themselves to being alone.
What is Solo-Maxxing?
Solo-maxxing is a new term for an old concept: being single. However, it specifically refers to choosing singlehood because relationships are too expensive to sustain. According to data from the Bank of Montreal's 2026 real financial progress index, the average Gen Z date in the US—including food, drinks, transport, and grooming—now costs $205 (£152). If you need to go on 20 dates to find a partner, that's $4,100 (£3,044) before any ongoing relationship costs.
Economic Pressures Drive the Trend
Disposable income is scarce, especially for the generation most affected by AI career displacement. TikTokers have embraced solo-maxxing, with one user describing "the ability to do things by yourself and not depend or lean on anyone else" as the number one skill to master in your twenties. While some see this as bleak, others view it as a sign of resilience in the face of systemic economic pressure.
Performative Solitude?
Activities associated with solo-maxxing include filming oneself going for a run, dining at restaurants, or visiting the cinema—often shared online. This performative solitude raises questions about whether it's truly being alone or just seeking validation. Nevertheless, the trend highlights a generation resigning itself to singledom for financial reasons.
Is Solo-Maxxing Economically Rational?
Interestingly, data from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that being single is actually more expensive. A single working-age adult needs £30,500 gross annually for a minimum acceptable standard of living, while a working-age couple needs £43,000 between them (£21,500 each). That means being single costs £9,000 more per year than being in a relationship. So, solo-maxxing may not be the cost-saving strategy it seems.
As economic pressures persist, expect new trends like couple-maxxing to emerge. For now, Gen Z is navigating a challenging landscape where love comes with a hefty price tag.
