The Top 10 US States to find Love for Valentine’s Day 2025

Does love sometimes feel like a losing game? It might not just be bad luck—some states seem to have the deck stacked in their favour. But where does your state stand?

By analyzing dating app spending, marriage and divorce rates, and online search trends, we’ve ranked the luckiest (and unluckiest) states for love. Here’s what we found—and why some states have love on lock while others keep coming up short.

Key Highlights for Love and Luck in the States

Massachusetts is the luckiest state for love, with a 1.0% divorce rate and 20.6-year median marriage duration. Couples here hold onto love longer than Red Sox fans hold onto 2004.
Oklahoma ranks as the unluckiest state for love, with a 3.8% divorce rate and a mere $0.27 spend per capita on dating sites. You’re more likely to run into a tornado than find true love here.
With 55.4% of residents single and the highest dating app spending per capita ($0.74), New York is the ultimate state for modern romance—where swiping right is practically a way of life.
While 63.93% of Illinois residents have never been married, those who do stay committed—with marriages lasting over 21 years. Just like Chicago deep-dish lovers who refuse to call it pizza.

Which 10 States Ranked as the Luckiest in Love?

The numbers tell a compelling story—some states seem to have love figured out, while others are still rolling the dice. From marriage longevity to dating culture, our rankings reveal where romance flourishes and where it fizzles out. Let’s dive into the luckiest states for love, starting with Massachusetts.

#1 Massachusetts: The Best Odds for Love

Love Luck Score: 52.65/100 💗

Massachusetts takes the top spot as the luckiest state for love, thanks to its strong dating culture and relationship stability. With a divorce rate of just 1.0%, and a median marriage duration of 20.6 years, residents have high chances of finding and keeping love.

From candlelit dinners in Boston’s North End to scenic Cape Cod getaways, romance flourishes in the Bay State. Add a highly educated population and strong economic opportunities (plus enough Harvard and MIT grads to turn marriage into a science), Massachusetts couples seem to have cracked the code for finding luck in love.

#2 New York, New York: The Empire State of Love

Love Luck Score: 52.57/100 💗

With its high population density and hustle-like-no-tomorrow dating culture, New York secures the second spot on our list. 55.4% of New Yorkers are single – combined with the highest dating app spending per capita at $0.74, The Empire State offers plenty of opportunities to find romance amongst the chaos.

New York is also home to some of the nation’s most enthusiastic gamblers —No wonder many find it the perfect place to take a chance on love. Whether swiping right or going all in on a first date, New Yorkers embrace the thrill of the gamble in both love and life.

#3 New Jersey: Betting Big on Romance and Winning

Love Luck Score: 51.72/100 💗

New Jersey ranks third, with 50.6% of the population being single and an impressive $0.61 per capita spent on dating apps—finding love here is serious business. When Garden State couples commit, they go the distance. Marriages last an impressive 20.4 years on average.

From Jersey Shore hookups to deep-rooted love stories, this state thrives on big personalities and high-stakes romance. And being the Diner capital of the world, there is no shortage of late-night Valentine’s Day dates over disco fries and milkshakes. Aww.

#4 Illinois: Playing the Long Game in Love

Our Love Luck Score: 47.99/100 💗

Illinoisans take their time before saying “I do.” With 63.93% never married, there’s no rush to settle down—but when they do, they’re in it for the long haul. Marriages here last an average of 21.2 years, proving that relationships aren’t just fleeting bets; they’re carefully played hands.

Maybe it’s Midwestern practicality, or the same stubborn loyalty that keeps Cubs fans hopeful year after year. Whatever it is, Illinois couples are in it for the long game—and with 37,700 monthly Valentine’s Day gift searches, they make sure to look after their love lives, too.

#5 California: Big on Romance, Short on Marriage Durability

Our Love Luck Score: 45.94/100 💗

California ranks Fifth. Unsurprisingly, the home of Hollywood love stories and celebrity power couples has a high interest in romance, with 97,260 monthly searches for Valentine’s Day gifts and $0.48 per capita spent on dating apps. But marriages here last just 19.2 years—perhaps a casualty of career-driven lifestyles and the pursuit of the next big thing.

The Golden State produces the highest-earning poker players, so residents know all about high-risk, high-reward moves. But much like Hollywood’s endless sequels that never top the original (We’re looking at you, Joker 2.), love stories here start strong—only to fizzle out in the second act.

#6-10: Midwest Marriages Play the Long-Game

Midwestern couples might take their time tying the knot, but once they do, they’re in it for the long haul. With some of the highest median marriage durations in the country, these states prove that love isn’t just about passion—it’s about patience, persistence, and playing the long game. So, which states have mastered the art of lasting love?

#6 Texas - Our Love Luck Score: 45.28/100 💗
#7 Wisconsin - Our Love Luck Score: 44.76/100 💗
#8 Vermont - Our Love Luck Score: 44.53/100 💗
#9 Pennsylvania - Our Love Luck Score: 44.42/100 💗
#10 New Hampshire - Our Love Luck Score: 43.29/100 💗

Where Love Goes to Fold: The Toughest States for Romance

The luckiest states have hit the romantic jackpot— while these ones can barely scrape together cab fare for a second date. Brace yourselves for a shocking revelation: states with sky-high divorce rates also show little interest in searching for Valentine’s Day gifts. Who would’ve thought?

Add in rock-bottom spending on dating apps, and it’s clear that love isn’t exactly a priority here. Whether it’s bad luck, low effort, or both, romance in these states can feel more like an afterthought than a serious pursuit.

Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi Named the Unluckiest States for Love

Mississippi (23.36/100 💔) – With a 3.3% divorce rate and just $0.25 per capita spent on dating apps, Mississippi’s dating scene is running on fumes. Valentine’s Day searches sit at 5,250 a month—low enough to suggest people aren’t exactly rushing to celebrate.
Arkansas (22.77/100 💔) – A 3.6% divorce rate and only $0.26 spent per capita on dating apps don’t scream commitment. With just 5,020 monthly searches for Valentine’s Day gifts, the enthusiasm for love is about as low as the odds of a second date.
Oklahoma (20.88/100💔) – Dead last, Oklahoma has a 3.8% divorce rate and only $0.27 per capita spent on dating apps. Valentine’s Day searches are slightly higher at 7,700 a month, but that’s not enough to offset a dating scene that’s barely holding on.

Long-Term Love Wins in the Midwest, While Others Keep Testing Their Luck

The Midwest holds some of the strongest hands in marriage. States like Wisconsin (22.5 years), Minnesota (22.4 years), and Pennsylvania (21.8 years) show that once couples commit, they actually stay in the game. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma (3.8% divorce rate), Mississippi (3.3%) and Alaska (3.1%) plenty of couples go all in, only to fold fast. And in New York ($0.74 per capita on dating apps) and California ($0.48 per capita), love has gone fully digital—romance here looks less like a long-term bet and more like an endless reshuffle, always chasing the next winning hand.

How We Ranked the Luckiest States for Love

To determine which states have the best (and worst) luck in love, we analyzed key relationship trends and created a Love Luck Score out of 100. Our ranking is based on a combination of factors that reflect dating culture, commitment, and romantic interest:

Dating App Spending (SlotsUp) - Higher spending suggests greater investment in finding love.
Marriage & Divorce Rates (CDC, World Population Index) – Lower divorce rates and higher marriage rates indicate stronger long-term commitment.
Valentine’s Day Search Trends (Google Keyword Planner) – High search volumes suggest greater romantic interest.
Single Population & Marriage Duration (US Census) – A mix of never-married percentages and median marriage lengths shows overall relationship success.

Final Verdict: Is Love About Luck or Strategy?

Some states stack the odds in favor of love, while others seem destined for heartbreak. High marriage rates, strong relationship stability, and active dating cultures have proven to create the best environments for romance to flourish, while high divorce rates and low interest in dating reflect tougher conditions.

But love, like any good game, isn’t just about luck—it’s about making the right moves. Whether your state is holding a winning hand or constantly reshuffling, one thing’s for sure: those who invest in love, much like in life, stand the best chance of walking away with the jackpot.

Join the conversation! Have you found love in one of the "unluckiest" states, or are you struggling in one of the so-called lucky ones? Tell us your story and connect with us on X & YouTube—because when it comes to love and luck, the best insights come from real experiences

Paul Seaton, an esteemed figure in the poker community with over ten years of experience, has provided live coverage from renowned poker tournaments like the World Series of Poker, European Poker Tour, and World Poker Tour. His involvement goes beyond observation; he has served as the Editor of BLUFF Europe Magazine and Head of Media for partypoker.