42% of Gen Z adults surveyed by Bank of America said they live paycheck to paycheck, rising to 51% among ages 23 to 25 as parental support fades and everyday costs climb.
75% said they actively cut costs on social plans, reflecting a broader shift toward open money talks and deliberate budgeting rather than treating finances as private.
43% called irresponsible spending a romantic deal breaker, and 24% said financial strain is delaying milestones such as moving in together or getting engaged.
92% still make small treat purchases, but 41% feel financial guilt at least weekly; that tension appears to be pushing behavior toward saving, with 54% saying they would bank an extra $300 a month.
In Tulsa, where Gen Z accounts for 17% of net inbound migration to Oklahoma since the pandemic, the findings suggest affordability is drawing young adults even as financial pressure reshapes how they spend and date.