The True Cost Of A Long Distance Relationship
With rumours swirling that Prince Harry and his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle are to be engaged, research today highlights the true cost of a long distance relationship for the everyday British woman.
While 68% of Brits believe that “love knows no borders”, according to data crunched together by Monito, an international money transfer comparison website, it certainly has a very hefty price tag attached.
Those in long distance relationships (LDRs) are shelling out an eye-watering amount of money to keep their romance off the rocks, with the average Brit estimated to spend between £11,970 (on a European partner) and £18,234 (on an American partner). By contrast, those in a relationship with a partner nearby costs £8,798 a year instead.
And Harry’s not the only bessottd Brit celebrity to face up to the soaring cost of long-distance love. Others include socialite Chloe Green, heir to the global Arcadia empire, who is seeing the notorious “hot felon” American Jeremy Meeks, and Sophie Turner, best known for her portrayal of Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, who was recently engaged to frontman of DNCE, Joe Jonas.
The issue could affect at least 700,000 Brits who have partners that they do not live with, yet this figure is likely to be much higher as the government statistics don’t include unmarried couples.
So, what are the figures behind these claims? We’ve broken them down for you with the help of Monito in our Estimated Long Distance Lovers’ Yearly Bill:
US Partner (if visited once a month):
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Travel Expenses: £7,272 (£606 per flight – the mean cost of flights from 20 US cities)
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Money Transfers: £190 (due to excessive, bad exchange rates)
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Phone Bill: £324 per year
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Dates*: £1,524
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Personal beauty regime: £4,500
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Holidays: £974
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“Hidden” Costs**: £450
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Special Occasions***: £3,000
TOTAL: £18,234
European Partner (if visited once a month):
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Travel Expenses: £1,008 (£84 per flight – the mean cost of flights from 20 European cities)
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Money Transfers: £190 (due to excessive, bad exchange rates)
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Phone Bill: £324 per year
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Dates*: £1,524
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Personal beauty regime: £4,500
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Holidays: £974
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“Hidden” Costs**: £450
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Special Occasions***: £3,000
TOTAL: £11,970
* The average date cost is £127, according to an analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research
**Includes: Taxis to the airport, minor food/drink purchases when travelling (based off this person’s experience)
***Includes: Birthdays, Christmas, gift giving
François Briod, co-founder and CEO of Monito, told Belle About Town: “Often people ask if you can put a price on love, and our findings prove that you can.”
“Long distance love is a costly affair, and people only consider the emotional challenges, as opposed to the financial strain, that people face when embarking on long-distance relationships.”
“When you price up things such as transport to and from the airport and international money transfers, the ‘hidden’ costs really do add up and a long-distance relationship can be both a strain on your heart, and your wallet.”
- So what do you think? Is a long distance relationship worth the money? Has your long distance relationship led to love, or bankruptcy?! Comment below or join the conversation over on our Facebook page.
