In cities across Australia, being single isn’t rare. But not every city treats singles the same. Some places stack up with gender gaps, skewed expectations, or weird dating norms. Others feel more balanced, if you know where to look. Let’s get into what the 2025 data shows.
#1 – Sydney Is Stacked—With Singles and Surprises
Sydney has 1.7 million single people, and more than half live in the inner-city. Interestingly, by contrast, Ray White’s 2025 report lists Lakemba in the western suburbs as having the highest male-to-female ratio – 252 single men for every 100 single women. Wiley Park follows with 196:100.
But head over to Darling Point or Double Bay in the glitzy eastern suburbs? The scales flip. Only 67 men for every 100 women. You’d better bring your best game and a black Amex if you’re dating in those parts—median house prices climb above $4.5 million.
Still, don’t confuse a high number of singles with an easy dating life. Sydney landed ninth worst in the Time Out dating success rankings. Only 29% of people said dating felt “easy.” Plenty of people. Not so many wins.
#3 – Melbourne’s Mix: Art, Rats, Dates
Melbourne has six suburbs in Australia’s top 20 singles zones. Elwood and Port Melbourne lean towards more single women. Doveton is one of the most affordable to live in, with a $613,717 median house price.
The town loves culture. And singles take advantage of it. People flock to music venues, film nights, and comedy bars. Fitzroy drags in folks for its late-night food, small gigs, and whatever “art party” is happening in a back alley. It also has 63% more single women than men, according to recent stats.
#4 – Pick Your Plot Twist: Dating Paths Are Not One-Size-Fits-All
Not everyone in Sydney or Melbourne is looking for the same thing. Some swipe right, hoping for a partner to share Spotify playlists. Others go to comedy singles nights or meet people at weekend hikes in Hobart. And yes, there are folks who might casually meet cutes between jazz sets in Fitzroy or networking drinks in Perth. Different goals, different lanes.
Australian cities aren’t just packed with singles—they’re full of options. From Bumble dates in beach bars to meetups at wine tastings or even those quietly seeking to find a sugar daddy, people choose based on lifestyle, pace, or simply curiosity. No method is rare anymore—just different.
#5 – Brisbane Feels Cold… Even When It’s Warm
Brisbane has singles, but few date happily. Only 28% said dating was “easy” in the city. West End has large numbers of unmarried people—about 40%. But less than half of first dates turn into second ones.
People in Brisbane like low-cost outings. Thirty-three percent of singles split bills over PayID. Forty-one percent pick free plans like ferry rides instead of dinner. Gold Coast’s Broadbeach stands out, though. Forty-two percent of Tinder matches there become actual dates—something Sydney can’t claim.
#6 – Small City Energy: Who’s Hooking Up Elsewhere?
Adelaide doesn’t pull headlines like Melbourne or Sydney. But 57% of people in North Adelaide live alone. Wine nights at Penfolds bring hundreds each month.
Hobart’s got a scene, too. In Battery Point, people over 60 are out here hosting cheese-board nights. Sixty-eight percent of those folks are single homeowners. And yes, they use dating apps.
The Northern Territory is the only region where more women are single than men. In Darwin’s Nightcliff, the ratio is 91 women per 100 men. Night markets see people meeting over laksa bowls more than Bumble or Hinge.
#7 – Dating Apps and Upgrades: Who’s Tapping What?
Dating app spending is steep. Australians are now dropping $43 billion a year on dating activities. Singles spend about $384 a month—three dates, few fireworks.
Melbourne beats Sydney in dating boost features. Singles there spend $187 monthly to be seen more. Perth folks? They just stick with Facebook Dating and call it a day.
Bumble says 52% of women choose coffee rituals over evening meals. Morning walks beat brunch. No need for fancy outings—you might get more swipes for sipping a flat white with your dog.
#8 – Canberra Is Quiet—But Connections Happen
Canberra doesn’t light the internet up, but that’s not the full story. Silent speed dating events at bookstores hit a 73% match rate using written Q&As. The city’s Floriade festival even set up a pollen-free “singles garden” where 89 couples matched over plant quizzes.
Meanwhile, 14% of Sydney’s singles use ChatGPT to rewrite their Hinge prompts. Perth leads in using AI to plan outfits. Gold Coast tattoo clinics report a 22% rise in people removing ex-themed ink.
#9 – Money, Gender, and Weird Trends No One Asked For
Regional WA still has heavy gender gaps—124 men for every 100 women. Thanks, mining. Some towns like Karratha report that 80% of single male FIFO workers are hiring AI dating coaches. These men pay over $1,400 a year for help rewriting bios and picking photos.
In Adelaide, 22% of singles over 40 start out by sharing Spotify playlists before digits. This “micro-mance” thing started from Bumble’s prompt system. It’s now how some people test basic vibe before putting in effort.
Final thoughts
Dating isn’t smooth for everyone. Australia’s still got stuff to work on. Over 60% of singles say they’ve felt judged for not having a partner. Common stereotype? That single men aren’t stable and single women are incomplete. Both are tired and untrue.
So if you’re single in Australia, you’ve got options. You’ve also got funny one-liners, weird numbers, and gender skews, depending on your postcode. The best city depends on what you’re trying to find—and what you’re willing to deal with.
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