NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Valentine's Day balloons and flowers are sold outside a convenience store on February 14, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach record highs this year, but Philadelphia is often a hidden gem for couples.
What we know:
Philadelphia ranks as one of the more affordable major metros for romance, offering high-quality experiences for significantly less money.
A budget of $150 per person could easily cover a romantic night out with dinner and drinks at several restaurants around the city.
Getting flowers for your date may add another $80-115 to your spending, while a hotel room would be your biggest expense at $200 or more a night during Valentine's weekend.
If you're looking for the cheapest option, a $40 movie date package would be your best bet.
Big picture view:
Valentine's Day in Philadelphia aligns very closely with the national average, which experts say will break records this year at $29.1 billion, surpassing last year's record of $27.5 billion.
Americans are budgeting a record $199.78 on average for gifts, an increase from $188.81 last year and surpassing the previous record of $196.31 set in 2020.
"Much of that growth is driven by middle- and high-income shoppers who are expanding their gift lists to include friends, co-workers and even pets in addition to loved ones," said NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen.
The Source: Information from his article was provided by the National Retail Federation and local pricing analysis.