Dealbreakers in 60+ Dating
Smoking habits, exercise, pets and religion: the lifestyle characteristics where over-60s differ most. Based on self-reported profile data from 15.000+ members on 60dating.com.
Lifestyle Profile of 60+ Daters
81%
Non-smoker
The vast majority of seniors do not smoke
65%
Exercises weekly
An active lifestyle is the norm
34%
Has pets
Pets influence the match
Platforminzicht
The data shows that the sharpest lifestyle differences among over-60s on the platform are in smoking habits, physical activity and religion. Appearance, by contrast, shows little variation. These are self-reported characteristics, not measured reasons for rejection.
Smoking Habits
The vast majority of active 60+ daters do not smoke. Smoking habits represent one of the sharpest lifestyle differences on the platform (n=10.093).
Insight: 81% of active members do not smoke. This is the sharpest lifestyle characteristic on the platform.
81% of active members do not smoke. The low percentage of smokers on the platform points to a strong lifestyle preference among seniors. Occasional smokers form a small but visible proportion.
60dating.com — Dealbreakers in 60+ Dating
81% of active 60+ daters on 60dating.com do not smoke (2026). Smoking habits thus show the sharpest distribution of all lifestyle characteristics on the platform.
Activity Level
How active are over-60s, and does it matter when dating? (n=4.130)
Insight: 65% of active members are regularly physically active. A shared love of exercise is a plus for many seniors.
Exercise habits say a great deal about someone's lifestyle. Active seniors often look for a partner who also enjoys being active, or at the very least doesn't spend all day on the couch. 65% of members exercise at least weekly.
For over-60s, exercise is not just healthy but also social. Walking or cycling together is frequently mentioned by members as an ideal first date.
60dating.com — Dealbreakers in 60+ Dating
On 60dating.com, 65% of over-60s are regularly physically active (2026). An active lifestyle is a more important selection criterion for seniors than body type.
Faith & Worldview
How important is religion when dating later in life? (n=9.150)
23.4%
20.3%
16.8%
14.4%
13.1%
5.9%
4.5%
0.5%
0.4%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
Insight: For many seniors, faith is inseparable from daily habits and outlook on life. A difference in belief can strongly affect compatibility.
Faith plays an important role for many over-60s. It's not just about attending church, but also about shared values and norms. 86% of members indicate a religious belief. The rest prefer to keep it private.
Platforminzicht
The data shows that 86% of members indicate a religious belief. Among Christian members, the preference for a partner of the same faith is measurably stronger than in other groups.
Appearance
Body type and hair color: how do over-60s describe themselves? (n=10.271)
Body type
Hair color
Insight: Most seniors describe themselves as "average". Appearance plays a role, but personality carries more weight.
Most over-60s describe themselves as "average" or "a few extra pounds". 1.9% prefer not to say. Honesty about one's body remains a sensitive topic.
60dating.com — Dealbreakers in 60+ Dating
The majority of 60+ daters on 60dating.com describe themselves as "average" in terms of body type (2026). Only 3% name appearance as a primary preference. Lifestyle demonstrably carries more weight.
Pets
Pets: how do they affect compatibility? (n=9.718)
63.5%
No pets
34%
Has pets
2.5%
Prefer not to say
Insight: 34% of active members have pets. This affects daily routine, travel plans and compatibility.
Pets are a surprisingly important factor in senior dating. A dog or cat is more than a pet; it's a lifestyle choice. Allergies, travel plans and daily routine are directly affected. 34% of members have pets.
Platforminzicht
The data shows that the majority of members with pets have a dog. Members with pets more often seek someone who lives nearby, possibly due to daily care requirements.
60dating.com — Dealbreakers in 60+ Dating
34% of active 60+ daters on 60dating.com have pets (2026). The dog is the most popular, and dog owners more often seek a partner in the local area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifestyle and Compatibility
Which lifestyle characteristic stands out most among 60+ daters?
Smoking habits stand out: 81% of active members on 60dating.com do not smoke. This makes it one of the sharpest lifestyle differences on the platform.
How important is appearance for seniors when dating?
Less than you might think. Seniors value personality, lifestyle and shared interests more than appearance. Honesty about how you look does matter: a misleading profile is a bigger turn-off than a few extra pounds.
How do pets affect compatibility in senior dating?
A pet affects daily routine, travel possibilities and spontaneity. For animal lovers, it's a connecting factor; for others, a practical obstacle.
Does religion play a role in dating over 60?
For many seniors it does, often more than they themselves expect. Faith influences daily habits, holidays and values. A difference in worldview isn't always raised right away, but can cause friction in the long run.
Methodology
All figures are based on members who logged in during 2026 on 60dating.com.
By 'active' we mean members who logged in at least once within the past 12 months on 60dating.com.
The sample comprises 15.000+ members who logged in during 2026 with completed lifestyle preferences.
Percentages are calculated across members who completed the relevant field. Not all members complete every profile field.
The data concerns users of 60dating.com and is not representative of all American over-60s.
For the smallest sample (n=4.130), the margin of error is approximately 1.5% at 95% confidence.
The data is automatically updated every 12 hours.
No personal data is shared. All percentages are calculated from aggregated, anonymized data.
Sources & context
About this analysis
This analysis of lifestyle and compatibility in senior dating was compiled by the data team at 60dating.com, based on 15.000+ active members who logged in during 2026. 60dating.com has been active as a dating platform for over-60s in the United States since 2015.
Data team 60dating.com
60dating.com
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