2025 Dating Costs in Russia: Trends, Salaries, and Price Changes for Flowers and Dinners

According to a study by the geo-service 2GIS, conducted in February 2025, the cost of a date in the largest cities of Russia increased by 9.4% over the past 12 months. Despite inflation and rising prices, city dwellers can now afford more romantic dates thanks to a faster growth in salaries.

Main trends: dinner, flowers, and the economy

Analysts at 2GIS studied the expenses for a classic date, which includes dinner at a restaurant and a bouquet of seven red roses. The calculations involved data from 10,000 catering establishments and flower shops. The results showed:

• The average check in restaurants increased by 6.5%,
• The cost of a bouquet of roses increased by 13.6%,
• The total expenses for a date reached 4,396–6,990 rubles depending on the city.

The price increase almost matched the inflation rate for 2024 (9.4% versus 9.1% according to Rosstat). However, salaries in the regions increased by 18% during the same period, improving the "romantic purchasing power" of Russians.

Leader cities: from budget to premium dates

Top 3 most economical cities:

• Mahachkala — 4,396 rub. (+2.3% compared to 2024),
• Ulyanovsk — 4,727 rub. (former leader of the ranking),
• Perm — 4,827 rub. (+4.5%).

The most expensive cities for dates:

• Moscow — 6,990 rub. (+4.4%),
• Vladivostok — 6,085 rub.,
• Tolyatti — 6,006 rub. (record growth of 28% due to a 55% rise in flower prices).

An interesting case is Kazan, where the average check decreased by 1.5% due to a 12.8% reduction in the price of roses.

Salaries vs. Dates: Why Russians are Going on More Dates

The main paradox of 2025: despite inflation, residents of major cities can now afford one more date per month than the previous year. Experts attribute this to the imbalance between income growth (18%) and romance-related expenses (9.4%).

Example:

• In 2024, the average salary allowed for 11 dates,
• In 2025, it will allow for 12 dates.

The leader in growth was Izhevsk: with a 27.3% salary increase, residents can afford 3 more dates. In Moscow, the index of romantic accessibility also increased — the capital moved from 5th to 1st place in the ranking.

Why Flowers Became More Expensive Than Dinner?

The sharp rise in rose prices (on average, 13.6%) is explained by analysts:

• Increased logistics costs,
• Seasonal demand before holidays,
• Flower shops switching to premium varieties.

In Tolyatti, for example, a bouquet of seven roses became 1,118 rubles more expensive, significantly impacting the total check.

Conclusions: Romance in the Age of Inflation

The 2GIS study demonstrates two key trends:

• Rising service prices for dates remain within inflation limits but vary by category.
• Increased incomes allow for compensating expenses and even increasing the frequency of romantic encounters.

For those looking to save, experts recommend paying attention to restaurant promotions and alternative flower options — such as seasonal or local varieties. "Romance should not become a luxury. Even in times of inflation, it’s possible to find ways to surprise your partner without harming the budget," say 2GIS. This article is relevant for those planning dates in 2025 and wanting to understand price dynamics in their city. Use the ranking data to optimize expenses and make your loved ones happy more often!