The 2026 Relationship
Commitment Report

Utah ranks as the most committed state in the U.S., with a culture where relationships tend to take shape earlier and more consistently than elsewhere. A marriage rate of 11.2 per 1,000 people (above the national average of 6.6), combined with the youngest median marriage ages in the country (27.2 for men and 25.2 for women), points to a place where settling down remains a clear and widely shared priority.

That intent shows up well before the milestone itself. High levels of engagement and proposal interest, averaging around 18,000 searches each month, suggest that for many, commitment is something actively planned and anticipated.

While the divorce rate sits at 8.1 per 1,000 people, slightly higher than the national average, the overall picture is one of balance, where relationships are not only formed earlier but, in many cases, sustained over time.

In Nebraska, commitment is defined by staying power. The state ranks second overall, underpinned by one of the strongest stability profiles in the country, suggesting that relationships here are built to last.

While the state’s marriage rate sits at 5.3, slightly below the national average of 6.6, and marriage ages reflect a more measured timeline, commitment in Nebraska appears less about speed and more about longevity.

A lower-than-average divorce rate of 7.1 per 1,000 people reinforces this, highlighting a culture where relationships, once formed, are more likely to endure.

In Idaho, people tend to commit earlier, and for many, that commitment is part of a longer-term plan. Ranking third overall, the state reflects a culture where settling down remains a clear priority.

With a younger marriage age (28.2 for men and 25.4 for women), many are reaching key relationship milestones sooner than elsewhere. Notably, Idaho has the lowest proportion of men who never marry, suggesting that long-term partnership is still a widely shared expectation, rather than an exception.

While the divorce rate sits slightly higher at 9.2, the broader picture points to commitment being both widely pursued and, in many cases, maintained over time.

In Kansas, commitment is shaped by consistency, with people taking a steady and considered approach to building long-term relationships. Ranking fourth overall, the state stands out for its balanced performance across behaviour, stability and romance.

While the marriage rate sits at 5.3, slightly below the national average, people are still reaching key milestones relatively early, with marriage ages of 28.8 for men and 26.2 for women. This suggests that commitment is less about frequency and more about timing and intent.

That intent is reflected in strong levels of engagement and proposal interest, with an average of 16,000 monthly searches. Although the divorce rate is slightly above average, it still seems like commitment remains an active and considered choice.

In Tennessee, people are reaching key milestones at a steady pace. With a marriage rate of 7.3 per 1,000 people and relatively young marriage ages, settling down remains a natural next step for many.

That intention shows up early. With over 38,000 engagement and proposal-related searches monthly, there’s a clear appetite not just for commitment itself, but for how it’s planned, celebrated, and shared.

While the divorce rate sits at 9.1, slightly above the national average, the overall picture suggests that commitment here isn’t fading; it’s something that continues to be both pursued and celebrated

In Georgia, commitment tends to take shape more gradually. With a marriage rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people (below the national average of 6.6) and slightly older marriage ages, key milestones are often reached later.

There’s also less urgency around the build-up to those moments. Lower levels of engagement and proposal-related search interest suggest that, for many, commitment isn’t driven by immediacy, but approached more deliberately.

That slower rhythm carries through over time. With a divorce rate of 8.7 per 1,000 people, above the national average, and more limited engagement with romance-related searches overall, commitment here feels less defined by traditional signals and more by individual timing and personal pace.

In New Mexico, commitment is less defined by traditional milestones. A lower marriage rate of 4.7 per 1,000 people, combined with limited interest in proposals and engagements, suggests that formal markers like weddings don’t hold the same significance.

Relationships here don’t always follow a clear, linear path. With a divorce rate of 9.1 per 1,000 people, above the national average, the picture is more fluid, where commitment may take different forms and evolve over time.

In Rhode Island, commitment tends to arrive later, but with more intention. A marriage rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people, combined with some of the oldest median marriage ages in the country (32.2 for men and 30.9 for women), suggests that relationships often unfold at a slower, more considered pace.

At the same time, interest in romance remains strong. Search behaviour around relationships and proposals shows that love is still very much part of the cultural conversation, even if milestones happen less frequently.

A divorce rate of 6.7 per 1,000 people sits below the national average, showing that commitment isn’t absent, but more selective. People in Rhode Island might take longer to reach key moments, but approach them with greater intention when they do.

With a marriage rate of 5.2 per 1,000 people and median marriage ages of 32.2 for men and 29.6 for women, it seems like relationships here often take time to evolve before becoming formal.

At the same time, there are clear signs that commitment is still actively considered. Maryland ranks relatively high for romance and engagement-related search interest, suggesting that the intent and desire for commitment remain strong.

However, a divorce rate of 8.4 per 1,000 people, above the national average, points to less consistent outcomes. Here, commitment isn’t disappearing; it’s still valued, but the path toward long-term stability can be less predictable.

In Massachusetts, commitment tends to come later, and often more deliberately. With a relatively low marriage rate of 5.2 per 1,000 people, and among the highest marriage ages in the country (32.4 for men and 30.9 for women), key milestones are typically reached further down the line.

At the same time, there are clear signs that commitment is still being actively considered. Massachusetts ranks among the top states for diamond-related searches, suggesting that while timelines may be extended, the desire to mark commitment in meaningful ways remains strong.

A divorce rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people, below the national average, adds to this picture, where fewer people are marrying, and doing so later, but those commitments are more likely to last.

In South Dakota, the path to commitment tends to feel more straightforward. With a median household income of $71,810 (around $5,000 lower than the U.S. average), the difference is offset by a lower cost of living, which sits at 88.6 versus the national average of 100. Housing is also significantly more affordable, at around 67.6 compared to the national benchmark, making it easier to build financial stability early on.

That carries through to major milestones. The average wedding cost is $31,961, below the U.S. average of $35,487, while engagement rings average around $3,005, among the lowest in the country. Together, these factors make commitment feel more accessible, where moving from planning to actually taking the step is often less financially daunting.

In Iowa, there are fewer financial barriers when it comes to moving forward with commitment. While the median household income sits at $71,433 (below the U.S. average of $77,588), lower everyday costs make a noticeable difference. The cost of living is 87.8 compared to the national average of 100, and housing remains more affordable at 65.3, helping free up income for longer-term plans.

That ease carries into key milestones. Weddings cost an average of $32,237, below the national benchmark of $35,487, while engagement rings average around $4,939. With relatively lower student loan debt as well, young people feel more able and empowered to take the leap. Plus, the financial step between planning and committing is smaller, making it easier to act on intention without needing to delay.

In Oklahoma, big life moments don’t have to come with a big financial trade-off. Even with a household income of $62,138 (below the U.S. average of $77,588), lower everyday costs help create more room to plan ahead. The cost of living sits at 87.8 compared to the national average of 100, and housing is notably more affordable at 62.8, easing the pressure that can often delay long-term decisions.

That difference is especially visible when it comes to milestones. The average wedding cost is $26,280, nearly $10,000 less than the national average, while engagement rings come in at around $5,294. With fewer financial hurdles to navigate, moving from considering marriage to actually taking the next step can feel far more achievable.

In West Virginia, the cost of commitment is notably lower, and that changes the pace of decision-making. It’s one of the few places where everyday affordability genuinely shifts what feels possible.

Housing costs are the lowest in the country, sitting at just 54.2 compared to the national average, which creates more breathing room in monthly budgets. That has a knock-on effect: weddings average $24,707, over $10,000 less than the U.S. average, and engagement rings come in at around $4,968.

Rather than needing to plan around financial constraints, people here are often working with fewer trade-offs. When the baseline cost of living is lower, major milestones don’t feel like such a financial leap, making it easier to move forward.

Ranking sixth among the most committed states, Arkansas is a place where commitment often happens sooner, in part because it’s easier to make the numbers work. Lower living costs create a different starting point, where planning doesn’t feel as financially stretched as it can elsewhere.

Weddings average $24,155, one of the lowest in the country and well below the national average of $35,487, while engagement rings sit at around $5,422. Combined with a cost of living of 86.9 (compared to 100 nationally) and more affordable housing at 58.2, there’s less of a financial gap between intention and action.

Ranking highest for romance-led entertainment, California records over 318,000 monthly searches across shows and films like Love Island, Love is Blind,and The Notebook, making it the most engaged state when it comes to love on screen.

Yet this doesn’t directly translate into real-world commitment. California ranks significantly lower on the overall Commitment Score, suggesting that while people are deeply engaged with the idea of love, timelines and decisions around commitment may be more fluid. In this sense, romance in California often starts on screen, influencing how it’s imagined, even if it plays out differently in real life.

Ranking second for romance-led entertainment, Texas records around 250,000 average monthly searches, with particularly strong interest in shows like Love Island and The Bachelor.

Unlike California, this cultural interest aligns more closely with real-world behaviour. Texas also ranks within the top 10 most committed states, suggesting that for many, watching romance goes hand in hand with acting on it. Rather than just shaping perception, love on screen appears to reinforce real-life milestones, where inspiration and action move more closely together.

Ranking among the top states for romance-led entertainment, Massachusetts records around 56,000 average monthly searches, with strong interest across both reality dating shows like Love is Blind and Love Island.

However, this interest sits in contrast to real-world behaviour. Massachusetts ranks lower on the overall Commitment Score, indicating that while romance is highly visible in culture, commitment may be approached more cautiously. Here, love is closely followed and explored, but often on its own timeline.

In Illinois, romance feels like something to dip in and out of. With around 100,000 average monthly searches across romance TV, there’s strong interest in Love Island in particular, a show built on fast-moving connections, twists, and second chances. 

While love is clearly part of the cultural backdrop, Illinois ranks lower on the overall Commitment Score, suggesting that real-life decisions don’t always follow the same pace or intensity as what’s watched on screen.

In New York, romance is everywhere, and people are clearly paying attention. With around 152,000 average monthly searches, the state shows strong interest across titles like Love Island, Love is Blind, and The Notebook, reflecting a fast-moving mix of modern dating culture and classic love stories.

But when it comes to real-life commitment, the picture shifts. New York ranks much lower on the overall Commitment Score, suggesting that while love is highly visible and constantly part of the conversation, acting on it often happens later. In a state where pace, priorities and possibilities are constantly evolving, commitment tends to follow its own timeline.