How Long Should You Date Before Getting Engaged?

An important question, and one we finally have an answer for….

Everyone knows a couple that got engaged pretty soon after they started dating. And everyone also knows at least one couple that has been dating forever but has yet to take the next step of getting engaged. So how do you know if popping the question is too soon, or not soon enough? There may not be a single correct answer since every couple is different, but we do have some info on what the average couple seems to do. Drum roll please….

In the US, the median length of a couple’s relationship before getting engaged is 3.3 years. BUT – it depends on geographical location. Couples in the north east have the longest waiting time at 3.9 years (get a move on, guys). Down south, the number sits at a more reasonable 2.9 years, while the west and mid-west are in between at 3.1 and 3.4 years respectively.

Furthermore, the average age of couples on their engagement stands at 27.2 years for women and 28.7 years for men; almost and 18-month age gap. The same geographical trend exists for these ages; couples in the north are a touch older than in other parts of the country.

So if you’ve been together for more than two years and haven’t had the ‘where are we going’ conversation, maybe start thinking about it! Or, you know, just do whatever works for both of you and makes you happy.