Love & Wisdom
All You Need is Love, And Lots of Cash
How much are Washington residents willing to spend on engagement rings?
By Rob Smith February 14, 2024
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This article originally appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of Seattle magazine.
If you’re in love and anything like the “average” Washington resident, it’s going to cost you.
Washington residents spend on average almost $8,300 on engagement rings, and that’s hardly the most expensive in the United States. Online diamond store Rare Carat’s survey found that New York residents spent the most (more than $11,000), while residents in South Dakota are the most budget-conscious, at around $5,000.
It’s been more than two decades since I purchased an engagement ring. Let’s just say I was more frugal than most. A record $6.4 billion is projected to be spent on rings across the U.S. today, on Valentine’s Day. Interestingly, the most popular shape by far is a round diamond.
Even though love is apparently costly, we’re still a very romantic state. Onlinecasinos.com surveyed 3,000 Americans and found that Washington residents take, on average, four months before saying “I love you” to their partner. No fewer than 85% of state residents report that they’re happy to say those three magic words before their partner does, tied with that well-known romance capital, Alabama, for the highest percentage in the nation.
When you do utter those magic words, just have your checkbook ready.