Money Love Score Report: Is a low credit score a dating dealbreaker?
Dating is full of questions. Where did they grow up? Are they close to their family? Are they looking for something serious? But one topic rarely comes up in those early conversations: their credit score.
Money may be considered a taboo subject during the early stages of dating, but it often becomes an important conversation as a relationship grows. From splitting bills to planning for the future and managing household finances, money can have a major influence on long-term relationships. In fact, a previous study conducted on behalf of Self Financial delving into the relationship between love and money found that 40.4% of people would have been put off by their partner if they knew their finances up front, highlighting just how closely financial health and romantic relationships can be linked.
To find out just how much financial health affects modern dating, Self Financial surveyed 1,397 U.S. adults to explore whether a low credit score is a relationship dealbreaker and how much a person's financial standing influences their romantic decisions.
Key findings:
- Almost a third (30.7%) of people in a relationship don't know their partner's current credit score.
- Over a quarter (26.5%) say a credit score is extremely important when deciding whether to date someone.
- A fifth (20.8%) wouldn't date their dream partner if they had a credit score below 600.
- Over half (51.3%) have hidden or lied about their credit score, debt, or financial situation from a partner.
- Over two-thirds (68.4%) have had to delay or skip a major milestone because of their partner's financial circumstances.
- Over half (53.5%) think dating apps should offer verified credit score badges on profiles.
At what point of a relationship do partners share their credit score?
As relationships become more serious, conversations about money often become more common. However, when it comes to credit scores, many couples are still keeping that information private.
The research found that almost a third (30.7%) of people currently in a relationship still don't know their partner's current credit score.
Almost a third (30.7%) of people in a relationship don't know their partner's credit score.
The findings also highlight a gap in how financial information is shared. While 68.9% said their partner knows their credit score, nearly a third (31.1%) said their partner does not.
More broadly, money is a regular topic of conversation for many couples. Over a third (36.4%) said they discuss finances with their partner very often or a couple of times a week. However, for 14.1%, money is never discussed.
| How often do couples talk about money? | |
|---|---|
| How often do couples talk about money? | Percentage of participants in a relationship |
| Never | 14.1% |
| Occasionally (once or twice a month) | 32.0% |
| Rarely (every few months) | 17.5% |
| Very often (a couple of times a week) | 36.4% |
A fifth (20.8%) shared credit scores while dating
When asked when they first shared their credit score with their partner, the most common answer was while they were dating, with 20.8% saying this was the point they had the conversation.
This was followed by before moving in together (18.9%), before becoming exclusive (18.2%), and some even before their first date (14.4%).
The most common time to first discuss credit scores is while dating (20.8%).
At the other end of the scale, very few couples waited until later relationship milestones. Just 3.9% first shared their credit scores after getting engaged, while only 0.4% waited until after having children.
| When is the most popular time to share credit scores during a relationship? | |
|---|---|
| At what point did you learn your partner's credit score? | Percentage of participants in a relationship |
| While we were dating | 20.8% |
| Before moving in together | 18.9% |
| Before becoming exclusive | 18.2% |
| Before we dated | 14.4% |
| After moving in together | 14.3% |
| After we got married | 7.2% |
| After we got engaged | 3.9% |
| After having children | 0.4% |
People's expectations don't always match reality. While many couples first discuss their credit scores while dating, the survey found that people believe the conversation should happen at different stages of a relationship.
Almost a fifth (19.6%) said couples should discuss their credit scores before the first date, while the same percentage (19.6%) believe the conversation should happen before moving in together. A further 17.3% think it should take place within the first three dates.
However, the most common response was when the relationship becomes exclusive, chosen by almost a quarter (24.4%) of participants.
Over a quarter (26.5%) say credit scores are extremely important in a relationship
Although almost a third (30.7%) of people currently in a relationship don't know their partner's credit score, many still consider it an important factor when dating.
More than a quarter (26.5%) said a potential partner's credit score is extremely important when deciding whether to date someone, while a further 25.6% said it is very important. In comparison, just 13.7% said it isn't important at all.
Over a quarter (26.5%) said they find credit scores extremely important when deciding whether to date someone.
The findings also suggest that many people aren't afraid to ask the question. While 20.8% of people in relationships said they first learned their current partner's credit score while dating, 34.4% of all respondents said they have directly asked someone they were dating about their credit score. A further 26.1% said they have hinted or asked indirectly.
By comparison, 24% said they haven't asked and wouldn't, while 15.5% said they haven't asked but have wanted to.
Over a fifth (21.8%) said they’d only date someone with a credit score of 750 or above
Participants were also asked about the lowest credit score they would consider acceptable in a romantic partner, revealing a wide range of opinions.
Almost a quarter (23.6%) said they would date someone with a credit score between 650 and 749, making it the most common response. Close behind, 23.4% said they would accept a score between 550 and 649 at the lowest.
However, over a fifth (21.8%) said they would only date someone with a credit score of 750 or above. The highest possible credit score is 850, which is considered a perfect score under both the FICO™ and VantageScore™ systems.
Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with lower scores considered poor and higher scores considered exceptional.
At the other end of the scale, 14% said they would consider a score below 550 acceptable, while 16.8% said a partner's credit score doesn't matter to them.
| What credit score would participants find acceptable to date? | |
|---|---|
| Credit score | Percentage that would find it acceptable to date |
| 550–649 | 23.4% |
| 650–749 | 23.6% |
| 750 or above only | 21.8% |
| A partner's credit score doesn't matter to me | 16.8% |
| Below 550 is fine | 14.0% |
| I don't know | 0.4% |
A fifth (20.8%) wouldn’t date their dream partner if they had a credit score of below 600
The survey also explored whether a low credit score could outweigh everything else in a relationship by asking participants if they would date their dream partner if their credit score was below 600.
While the majority (79.2%) said they would, opinions were split. Of those, 39.1% said they would only date them if they were actively trying to improve their credit score, while 40.1% said it simply wouldn't bother them.
However, a fifth (20.8%) said they wouldn't date their dream partner at all if their credit score was below 600.
A fifth (20.8%) wouldn’t date their dream partner if they had a credit score of below 600.
This aligns with additional research which found that 78% of Americans would not be willing to be in a relationship with someone carrying short-term debt, including credit card debt, personal loans and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing. [1] Achieve, 'Till debt do us part: 78% of Americans say a partner with debt is a dating dealbreaker', 2026 https://www.achieve.com/about/press/till-debt-do-us-part-78-of-americans-say-a-partner-with-debt-is-a-dating-dealbreaker
Almost a third says a good credit score shows financial responsibility
Participants were also asked why a good credit score matters in a relationship. The top response, chosen by 32.6%, was that it demonstrates financial responsibility.
This was followed by building trust (18.1%) and reducing the risk of financial stress or conflict (16.3%).
By comparison, just 1.6% said a good credit score is important because it reflects good money management. One possible reason is that many people recognize that credit scores are influenced by more than spending habits. There are several factors in a credit score, including payment history, outstanding debt, length of credit history, credit mix, and recent credit inquiries.
Despite this, the survey also found that many people associate credit scores with character. Almost two-thirds (62.7%) said they believe a person's credit score reflects how trustworthy they are as a partner, while 37.3% said it does not.
A high salary and high credit score are equally important in a long-term partner
When asked whether a high salary or a high credit score was more important in a long-term partner, the most common response was that both are equally important, selected by 28.5% of participants.
Close behind, 28.1% said a high credit score was more important than a high salary. Meanwhile, 25.6% placed greater importance on a high salary, while 17.8% said neither factor was important to them.
| Which matters more in a long term partner? | |
|---|---|
| Which matters more in a long term partner? | Percentage of participants |
| A high credit score | 28.1% |
| A high salary | 25.6% |
| Neither matters to me | 17.8% |
| They matter equally | 28.5% |
Despite the importance many participants place on financial responsibility, credit score ranked alongside several traditional dating factors when participants were asked to rate qualities in a potential romantic partner.
Credit score and financial responsibility scored 3.4 out of 5, putting them level with physical attractiveness, education level, income and career success, height, shared values, and fashion sense.
Participants rated credit score and financial responsibility the same as height when it comes to the most important factors in a partner (3.4/5)
Only two qualities ranked slightly higher: personality and sense of humor, both scoring 3.5 out of 5.
Material possessions, such as owning a car or house, ranked lowest at 3.3 out of 5, just 0.1 points behind credit score and financial responsibility.
Over two-thirds (68.4%) have had to delay major milestones due to their partner's finances
Financial circumstances can have a direct impact on a couple's plans. When asked whether they had ever had to delay or skip a major milestone because of their partner's financial situation, 68.4% said they had.
For 43.2%, this had happened once, while 25.3% said they had experienced it more than once.
In comparison, 31.6% said their partner's finances had never forced them to delay or skip a major milestone.
A previous study conducted on behalf of Self Financial in 2025 found that major life milestones such as owning a home (22%), getting married (19.6%) and having children (14.6%) were the most important to achieve. Despite this, nearly a quarter of the study's participants (24.9%) delayed owning their own home and one in eight (12.4%) have no intention of settling down and getting married.
Credit score transparency in a relationship
The survey also explored how open couples are about their credit scores, debt, and overall financial situation.
More than half (51.3%) admitted they had hidden or lied about their credit score, debt, or financial situation from a partner at some point. Other reports also found that 50% of Americans in a relationship have lied about or withheld financial information from their current partner. [2] NerdWallet, 'Survey: 17% of Americans Say Credit Card Debt is a Dating Dealbreaker', 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/2026-dating-dealbreakers
The findings also suggest that financial secrecy can go both ways. When asked whether a partner had ever hidden or lied to them about their finances, 39.4% said no. However, 19.2% suspected their partner had done so but had no proof, while 41.1% were certain they had been lied to or had information hidden from them.
The survey also tested whether people think dating apps should make financial transparency part of the dating process. More than half (53.5%) said dating apps should offer verified credit score badges on profiles. In addition to this, a previous survey conducted on behalf of Self Financial found that more than half (53%) think dating apps should come with an income range filter.
Alongside this, the appetite for verifying financial information when dating is clear. The 2025 Online Dating Survey from TransUnion found that more than two-thirds of people who are dating would be more likely to contact someone if their profile were verified, while 70% said they were concerned about scams. [3] TransUnion, 'Online Dating Scams Put User Trust and Retention at Risk', 2025 https://www.transunion.com/report/online-dating-2025
How many couples have joint accounts?
Sharing finances can be a major step in a relationship, but not every couple is ready to combine their money. Among participants currently in a relationship, 63.8% said they have a joint account with their partner, while over a third (36.2%) said they don't.
Joint accounts were most common among Gen X, those aged 45-60, with 61.7% saying they currently share one with their partner. At the other end of the spectrum, just 31.8% of the Silent Generation, those aged 80+, said they have a joint account.
Almost half (49.4%) wouldn’t be comfortable opening a joint account with their partner
For couples who don't currently share a joint account, the idea of combining finances isn't always an obvious next step. When asked whether they would feel comfortable opening one today, 50.6% said they would, while almost half (49.4%) said they wouldn't.
Women were slightly more hesitant than men, with 51.2% saying they wouldn't feel comfortable opening a joint account compared with 45.9% of men.
Almost half (49.4%) say they wouldn’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner today.
For those who weren't comfortable with the idea, the most common reason was that their current approach to splitting expenses already works well, cited by 33.8%.
A similar proportion (33.4%) said they prefer to keep their finances separate, while 29.2% were concerned about differences in income or spending habits.
This is particularly interesting considering that in a separate study conducted on behalf of Self Financial exploring the dating wealth gap, the research found that over half (54.3%) have experienced financial incompatibility with a partner.
However, the least common reasons for avoiding a joint account were that the idea had simply never come up (0.2%) or concerns about their partner's debt or credit (0.2%).
| Rank | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner | Percentage of participants* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner Our current way of splitting expenses works fine as is | Percentage of participants* 33.8% |
| 2 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I prefer to keep my finances separate/independent | Percentage of participants* 33.4% |
| 3 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I'm concerned about differences in income/spending habits | Percentage of participants* 29.2% |
| 4 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner We're not far enough along in our relationship for that | Percentage of participants* 1.2% |
| =5 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I'm not comfortable merging finances with anyone | Percentage of participants* 0.6% |
| =5 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I don't fully trust how the money would be managed | Percentage of participants* 0.6% |
| =5 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner A past relationship experience made me wary of joint accounts | Percentage of participants* 0.6% |
| 8 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner Other | Percentage of participants* 0.4% |
| =9 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I'm concerned about my partner's debt or credit | Percentage of participants* 0.2% |
| =9 | Why participants don’t feel comfortable opening a joint account with their partner I haven't thought about it / never came up | Percentage of participants* 0.2% |
*Participants who are in a relationship but do not currently have a joint account with their partner
Methodology
The survey was conducted on behalf of Self Financial in August 2026 and asked 1,397 U.S. adults from a range of backgrounds questions relating to credit scores and how that impacts romantic relationships.
For some questions, respondents could select more than one option; therefore, the results do not add up to 100%.
The self-identified respondent demographics of the survey were:
Age:
- 18-28 - 17.6%
- 29-44 - 37.9%
- 45-60 - 21.7%
- 61-79 - 12.2%
- 80+ - 10.6%
Gender:
- Female - 38.7%
- Male - 25.6%
- Non-binary - 10.5%
- Not listed - 12.6%
- Prefer not to say - 12.7%
Sources
- [1] Achieve, 'Till debt do us part: 78% of Americans say a partner with debt is a dating dealbreaker', 2026 https://www.achieve.com/about/press/till-debt-do-us-part-78-of-americans-say-a-partner-with-debt-is-a-dating-dealbreaker
- [2] NerdWallet, 'Survey: 17% of Americans Say Credit Card Debt is a Dating Dealbreaker', 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/2026-dating-dealbreakers
- [3] TransUnion, 'Online Dating Scams Put User Trust and Retention at Risk', 2025 https://www.transunion.com/report/online-dating-2025
