Study: Nearly Half of U.S. Singles Would Consider Marrying a Canadian for Security

A new Casino Days Canada survey of 1,000 single U.S. adults found that finances, healthcare, politics and long-term stability are reshaping dating decisions. Nearly half said they would consider marrying a Canadian citizen for security or residency, while most also cited rising costs and political polarization as reasons they might want to leave the U.S.

Why it matters: - Economic stress and political division are now shaping how many U.S. singles think about love, marriage and where they want to build a future. - The findings suggest cross-border dating with Canada is being viewed by some Americans as both a relationship choice and a stability strategy. - The survey also points to broader anxiety about affordability, healthcare and rights protections in the U.S.

What happened: - Casino Days Canada surveyed 1,000 single U.S. adults who are actively dating and open to a serious long-term relationship. - Forty-eight percent said they would definitely or possibly consider marrying a Canadian citizen if it improved long-term security or residency opportunities. - Forty-seven percent said they would be open to dating someone from Canada if the opportunity arose. - Another 27% said they would like to date someone from Canada, and 10% said they have already dated someone from Canada. - Eleven percent said they have explored Canadian dating through apps, travel or relocation. - Nine percent said they are currently trying to meet or date someone in Canada. - Six percent said they have set their dating app location to a Canadian city to meet potential partners.

The details: - Eighty-three percent said cost of living and inflation have influenced them at least somewhat in considering leaving the U.S. - Forty-one percent said those pressures influenced them a great deal. - Seventy-nine percent said healthcare affordability has influenced their interest in living abroad. - Seventy-six percent cited lack of affordable housing. - Seventy-six percent cited gun violence. - Seventy-three percent cited job security. - Seventy-two percent cited political polarization. - Seventy percent cited access to affordable education. - Sixty-four percent cited reproductive rights. - Fifty-seven percent cited climate change. - Fifty-one percent cited LGBTQ+ rights and protections. - Ninety-eight percent said romantic connection is at least somewhat important when choosing a partner. - Fifty-three percent said romantic connection is extremely important. - Ninety-eight percent said emotional stability matters. - Ninety-three percent said financial stability is at least somewhat important in a long-term partner. - Thirty-eight percent rated financial stability as extremely important. - Eighty-three percent said access to reliable healthcare factors into relationship decisions. - Thirty-nine percent said they actively look for partners who are more financially secure than they are. - Twenty-two percent said they have pursued that type of partner in the past. - Forty-five percent of Gen Z and 42% of millennials said they actively “date up” financially, compared with 10% of baby boomers. - Fifty-two percent said their personal rights and identity would be better protected in Canada. - Fifty percent said Canada would offer a more stable long-term future than the U.S. - Sixty-eight percent said they would feel morally conflicted about marrying primarily for long-term security rather than love. - Thirty percent said they would feel strongly conflicted. - Sixty-three percent of Gen Z said they would consider marrying a Canadian citizen for stability or residency opportunities.

Between the lines: - The survey shows a growing overlap between relationship preferences and economic self-preservation. - Canada appears to function in the results as shorthand for stability, rights protections and a less volatile future. - Political polarization is no longer just a civic issue for many singles; it is also a filter in dating and a factor in breakup decisions. - Gen Z emerges as the most mobile and most pragmatic generation in the survey, especially on money, politics and cross-border dating.

What's next: - The share of singles open to cross-border relationships could rise if affordability, healthcare costs and political division remain elevated. - The survey suggests dating apps, travel and relocation may become more common pathways for Americans seeking partners outside the U.S. - Broader interest in Canada may continue to grow if more singles see the country as a route to security, not just romance.

The bottom line: - For many U.S. singles, the question is no longer only who they want to date. It is also where that relationship could lead.

The full study