Valentine’s is getting more expensive by the year…
It is estimated that the total UK spend for 2025 is predicted to be over £2.1 billion. Even the price of condoms has increased by £3 since last year… But which city in the UK is the most expensive for a date night? Here love is a location with a list of places to avoid helping you budget your Valentine’s Day…
The most expensive cities to take your Valentine on a date this year
|
Rank
|
City
|
Average Date Night Cost (£)
|
Date Costliness Ratio
|
|
1
|
London
|
104.01
|
48%
|
|
2
|
Edinburgh
|
91.56
|
28%
|
|
3
|
City of Westminster
|
91.38
|
84%
|
|
4
|
Worcester
|
91.13
|
23%
|
|
5
|
Cambridge
|
87.78
|
26%
|
|
6
|
Lincoln
|
87.25
|
23%
|
|
7
|
Walsall
|
86.92
|
23%
|
|
8
|
Bedford
|
86.82
|
20%
|
|
9
|
Glasgow
|
86.26
|
27%
|
|
10
|
Bexley
|
86.21
|
23%
|
*Costliness ratio is calculated by average date night cost divided by gross weekly earnings minus weekly rent to determine which city has the most expensive, on average, date.
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London
London ranks as the most expensive UK city for a Valentine’s Day date, with the average date night setting people back £104.01. Londoners would be spending a high ratio of their weekly earnings on the big day (14%), despite paying the highest average rent in the UK, of an average £2,206.
London has been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, with prices steadily rising over the past few years, mainly due to the influx of foreign investments and the high demand for limited housing supply.
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Edinburgh
Coming in second is the city of Edinburgh, where an average date night could cost you £91.56. The Scottish capital boasts enchanting architecture and a distinct character that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Despite its charm, a budget-friendly dinner date, consisting of two inexpensive meals, coffee, and a taxi ride, in Edinburgh can still set you back £61.66, with a mid-range bottle of wine costing around £8.
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City of Westminster
The City of Westminster comes in third with an average date night costing £91.38. Nestled in London, the City of Westminster is home to some of London’s most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.
A classic dinner and movie date night in this beautiful city costs an average of £132, making it one of the most expensive cities in the UK. This city also boasts the highest average monthly rent, coming in at a whopping £3183, which contributes to the city having the highest costliness percentage at 84%. This makes the City of Westminster the most expensive place for couples to live.
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Worcester
In fourth is Worcester where an average date night can set you back £91.13. This beautiful city has incredible architecture, high-quality restaurants, and views to die for, making it perfect for a date night.
However, keep in mind that the city can be quite pricy with even a budget-friendly dinner date costing an average of £54.48. In Worcester, a 0.33L bottle of importer beer costs £6, making it one of the most expensive cities for imported beer in the UK.
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Cambridge
Finally, in fifth is Cambridge where the average date night costs £87.78. Dubbed as one of the most picturesque cities in the United Kingdom, Cambridge combines stunning scenery with endless activities perfect for any couple!
Despite its obvious charms, an elegant evening date in Cambridge can cost £131.50 on average, with a simple coffee date costing as much as £38.80. Even a taxi ride here is on the expensive side with it costing £2 per 1km.
Which UK city is the cheapest?
According to the data, compiled by GIGAcalculator, the cheapest city in the UK for a date night happens to be Blackburn which sits just north of Manchester. The average date in Blackburn costs just £55.98, with a luxurious, upscale dinner date costing £82.95.
Darlington comes in as the second cheapest city with an average date night costing £56.92 – located in Durham, a classic dinner/movie night costs only £76.40. Finally, the third cheapest city for a Valentine’s Day date night is Kingston Upon Hull where the average date costs £57.44. A simple coffee date in this city costs as little as £23.14!
Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some creative ways to make the day special:
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Explore Affordable Activities: Consider a scenic hike, a cozy movie night at home, or an at-home spa experience. These dates are both inexpensive and offer a more unique, adventurous alternative to the classical date night.
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Opt for Lunch Dates: Many restaurants tend to serve lunch at a cheaper price, making a more budget-friendly alternative to a dinner date.
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Set a Budget Together: Communicate with your partner about how much you’re willing to spend and try to stick to a budget that’s comfortable for you.
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Gifts: Look for discounts, coupons, or anything available that could knock some money off of the gifts you want to buy. The thought of the gift matters much more than how much you paid for it!
