Would You Date Someone Rich and Boring or Broke and Magical?

Romance or riches? It’s a question daters have debated for generations, and one that’s been reignited in 2025 thanks to Materialists, the buzzy romantic drama that has left audiences debating whether love can truly survive when money is on the line. The film, centered on a glamorous matchmaker torn between passion and wealth, struck a nerve with viewers navigating their own trade-offs between heart and stability. Inspired by this cultural moment, Tawkify surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore how daters today weigh love, money, and emotional baggage. The results reveal a complex web of values, vulnerabilities, and surprisingly practical preferences.

Key Takeaways

• If forced to choose, 54% of Americans would prioritize romantic love over financial security; 46% would choose money over love.
• Nearly 2 in 3 Americans (63%) would marry for love, even if it meant a lifelong financial struggle.
• Height is a relationship dealbreaker for more than 1 in 4 Americans (28%).
• More than 1 in 3 women (37%) say height is a dealbreaker, compared to just 1 in 5 men (19%).
• 69% of Americans have stayed in a relationship longer than they should have because of shared finances; 44% of these situations were temporary, and 25% were long-term.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30%) would consider getting back together with an ex if that person had become rich.
• 1 in 3 Americans (34%) think Lucy chose wrong in the movie “Materialists.”

Did Lucy Choose Wrong? What America Thinks

• Across all generations, more Americans would’ve picked John over Harry in the movie “Materialists”.
  • Gen Z: 55% for John, 45% for Harry
  • Millennials: 53% for John, 47% for Harry
  • Gen X & baby boomers: 54% for John, 46% for Harry
• Older generations are likeliest to say Lucy chose wrong in the movie “Materialists” — 37% of Gen X and baby boomers agree, compared to 34% of Millennials and 30% of Gen Z.
• Men are likelier than women to say Lucy chose wrong in the movie “Materialists”: 37% vs. 31%.

What Americans Want Most in a Partner

• Millennials are likeliest to choose love over money: 59% would prioritize a “broke and magical” relationship over financial security compared to 54% of Gen Z, 48% of baby boomers, and 46% of Gen X. 
• Gen X is the most financially pragmatic, with 52% choosing security over romance.
• Women are likelier than men to choose love over money: 58% of women would prioritize a “broke and magical” relationship over financial security, compared to only 51% of men.
• Nearly 7 in 10 Americans (69%) have stayed in a relationship longer than they should have due to shared finances; 44% of these situations were temporary, and 25% were long-term.
• Two-thirds of Americans (66%) would never get back with an ex, while 1 in 4 (25%) would and 8% are currently with theirs.
• Nearly 2 in 3 Americans (66%) believe getting back with an ex is usually about comfort, not compatibility.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30%) would consider getting back with an ex if that person had become rich.
• Over 3 in 5 Americans’ “perfect match” does not need to have a certain BMI.
• Height is a relationship dealbreaker for more than 1 in 4 Americans (28%).
• More than 1 in 3 women (37%) say height is a dealbreaker, compared to just 1 in 5 men (19%).
• Nearly 3 in 5 Americans (57%) would date someone who had plastic surgery to improve their appearance, but 43% say it would be a turn-off.
• 61% of women would date someone who had plastic surgery to improve their appearance, compared to 54% of men. Meanwhile, 46% of men and 39% of women say it would be a turn-off.
• Nearly half of Americans (48%) said they wouldn’t date someone without a job, even if they were attracted to them. That beat out mismatched political beliefs, which 47% also flagged as a dealbreaker.

Top reasons Americans would get back with an ex:

• I believed we had both grown: 44%
• The sex/physical connection was strong: 38%
• We had unresolved feelings: 38%
• I missed the familiarity: 33%
• I thought it would be different the second time: 33%

Average ideal salary of each generation’s “perfect match”:

• Gen X & baby boomers: $115,000
• Millennials: $100,000
• Gen Z: $80,000

Average ideal salary of each gender’s “perfect match”:

• Women: $110,000
• Men: $90,000

Ideal age of each generation’s “perfect match”:

• Gen X & baby boomers: 46
• Millennials: 34
• Gen Z: 25

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore how love, money, and emotional baggage intersect in modern dating by surveying real behaviors, values, and relationship trade-offs. The average age of respondents was 39; 50% were women and 50% were men. Generationally, 34% were Gen X and baby boomers, 50% were millennials, and 16% were Gen Z. Some percentages in this study may not total 100% due to rounding.

About Tawkify

Tawkify is a modern matchmaking service that pairs clients with professional matchmakers who curate introductions based on compatibility, not swipes. For anyone disillusioned with dating apps and ready for a more personal, emotionally intelligent approach to love, Tawkify offers the privacy, support, and heart-led guidance that real relationships require.

Fair Use Statement

If you’d like to share this data for noncommercial purposes, please include proper attribution with a link back to Tawkify.