Feeling lonely? worth rise may be partly to blame, according to a recent survey.

Thirty-seven percent of Americans said they’re neglecting their friends because it’s gotten too expensive to keep up the connection, according to a survey of 995 Americans by BadCredit.org, which provides information to assist people make financing decisions.

Gen Z (44%) is the most likely to choose to save over socializing, but millennials (38%) are close behind, followed by Gen X at 36%. Baby boomers are least likely to ditch their friends, with only 23% reporting they neglect their buddies to save money, the survey said.

Sometimes, it’s more than just neglecting friends, the survey said. One in 10 said they’ve gone so far as to complete a companionship because it was too expensive, and another 21% said they feel they’ve been spending more on their friends than their friends spend on them, which can navigator to resentment or feelings of inequality.

“It pains me to discover that so many people are neglecting their social lives due to the high expense of living,” said Erica Sandberg, BadCredit.org customer finance specialist. “These relationships are essential.”

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How much does companionship expense?

Millennials spend the most on their friendships, averaging $482 per month, followed by Gen Z at $433, the survey said. Gen X and baby boomers spend nearly half that on their friends at $257 and $256, respectively.

Millennials spend the bulk of their monthly costs ($275) on food and drinks, while Gen Z prefer entertainment such as concerts and movies ($102), it said. Gen Xers and baby boomers both seem to prioritize eating with friends, spending $93 and $84, respectively, each month.

When adding in the expense of special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or trips, the annual worth of companionship jumps to an average of $5,184 annually, BadCredit.org said. Millennials on average will spend $7,138 a year on friendships and Gen Z shells out $6,181, it said. Gen X and Boomers bring up the rear again at $3,905 and $3,832, respectively.

Urban dwellers spend nearly three times more on friendships than their suburban or rural counterparts. On average, city folks spend $747 a month, compared to $238 for suburbanites and $221 for ruralites, it said.

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What are people spending their money on instead?

It’s not that people don’t desire to spend more period with their friends. More than 3 of 4 respondents said they aspiration they could view their friends more often, which might be because 21% only view their friends once per month, the survey said.

But people said they simply can’t afford it.

“Staying inside, at home, and not moving has been the only way I can avoid spending anything extra,” Ok-Sky1329 on Reddit said earlier this year. “It seems like ‘outside’ has a minimum of a $100 fee these days.”

Sixty-five percent of respondents said they’ve cut back on social activities to save money for major costs such as housing or obligation, the survey said. Of those, 74% were Gen Z, 64% were millennials, 67% were Gen X and 49% were Boomers, it said.

Do people have to drop friendships due to money?

Money doesn’t have to arrive between you and your friends, Sandberg said.

“Yes, going out can be expensive, especially if you live in urban environments, but it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “Odds are there are many affordable events and activities in your area. For example, you may desire to receive throng walks around town or discover out when museums are offering free days. discover which restaurants are offering discounted joyful hours. Instead of saying no, propose appealing options.”

Ok-Sky1329 on Reddit was more cynical, noting “you can look for free events but I discover the only ‘free’ events in my area have a ton of hidden costs (paid parking, etc.).” Also, “if your friends are all barflies who only desire to leave out drinking, you’re going to be lonely. This is a excellent period to discover how to be your own partner.”

Medora Lee is a money, markets, and money management reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] andsubscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for money management tips and business information every Monday through Friday morning.