Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and a new nationwide study offers a fresh look at where romance is thriving across the country in 2026. Maryland came in ranked as the 9th most romantic state in the country.
The rankings, by research website InnerBody, are based on a full year of search trend data tied to dating, relationships, proposals, weddings, and Valentine’s Day related activity. The analysis reveals which states are searching for love the most, and which ones are quietly falling behind.
Maryland earns a spot inside the Top 10, ranking as the ninth most romantic state in the U.S. for 2026. According to the study, the most popular romantic search term in Maryland is “Valentine’s Day dinner,” suggesting that residents are prioritizing shared experiences and planning meaningful celebrations. Maryland also stands out nationally, joining New York as one of only two non Southern states to break into the Top 10, in a list otherwise dominated by the South.
One nearby result is hard to overlook. Virginia, famously branded as “Virginia is for Lovers,” does not make the Top 10. The slogan may be iconic, but the data places Virginia at No. 21 overall. It is a respectable showing, but well outside the upper tier, serving as a reminder that a great tagline does not always translate into measurable romantic behavior. The Top 10 most romantic states for 2026 are:
- Alabama
- South Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- Maryland
- New York
The full top ten and bottom ten article can be seen here.
