We all know the price of a night out has crept up. Between ticket prices, bar tabs, and rides home, it’s no wonder wallets are feeling the pinch. But, how much does a night in actually cost you? BetMGM Casino has crunched the numbers.
The Findings
- In the US: A typical Friday night in costs just $35.73 — less than half the average $81 price tag of going out. That’s an average saving of $45 every time you skip the bar queue.
- In the UK: The average “night in” comes in at only £23.60 — 60% cheaper than the £59.04 spent on a night out, saving you over £35.
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For Valentines: The cost of a night for two in the US is $54.94 and £35.46 in the UK, These figures account for shared at-home comforts including the use of two smartphones, two showers, drinks for each person, chocolates, and two fast-food meals.For Valentines:
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What’s in a Night In?
To work out the real cost of staying home in both the US and UK, researchers based their analysis on a snug 5-9 PM Friday evening, complete with all the entertainment, comfort, and treats you’d typically enjoy within those 4 hours.
All of the elements of a fun night in fall under these four categories:
- Entertainment
- Relaxation
- Food & Drink
- Bills
Here’s what made the cut:
Entertainment
- At least one Netflix movie
- Phone time (scrolling, online casino games, social media)
Relaxation
- Candle burn time
- A hot shower
Food & Drink
- Two glasses of beer or wine
- Chocolate (half a share bag)
- One fast-food meal and delivery fee (DoorDash in the US, Just Eat/Deliveroo/Uber Eats in the UK)
Bills
- Internet
- Rent
(Both calculated proportionally for four hours)
Methodology
Our cost calculations were based on:
- Cost per use: Dividing the full purchase price by total usage hours or units. For example, candle burn time or cost per movie from a streaming subscription.
- Average cost: Using reported average prices from reputable sources. For example, the delivery fee averages or the cost of a fast food meal.
- Typical consumption: Estimating the cost for the quantity typically consumed in one evening. For example, two glasses of wine from a bottle.
This approach ensures every figure reflects what someone would realistically spend in one evening.
Closing Thoughts
Whether it’s a glass of wine, a good movie, or a few spins of your favorite slot, an affordable night in can be just as thrilling as a more costly night out.
Let the party come to you with BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Casino has a wide range of online casino games, including online slots, online table games, and arcade experiences, as well as a casino welcome bonus offer for new players, making for a perfect night in.
Sources
Disclaimer: This list includes the main references used in this article but is not exhaustive of all materials consulted. The data has been updated as of February 2026.
- What’s on Netflix. (2025). Netflix Library by the Numbers 2024: 589 New Originals Released and Library Swells to Over 7,000 Titles.
- Fung, B. (2025). How much is Netflix in 2025? A breakdown of the monthly prices for every subscription plan. Business Insider.
- Surfshark. (n.d.). Which countries get the best-rated TV shows and movies on Netflix?.
- LendingTree. (2025). Fast food workers can’t afford the basics.
- Nimmo, T. (2024). How much are you actually paying for food delivery services?. WCPO.
- Allconnect. (2025). How much does internet really cost?.
- Fortune. (n.d.). Americans spend 18 years of their adult lives online—on average 7 hours daily.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2014–n.d.). WaterSense resources on saving water and energy.
- Everphone. (n.d.). What is the average smartphone lifespan?.
- Apartments.com. (n.d.). Average apartment rental in the U.S..
- Eventbrite. (n.d.). The nightlife industry: How much do people spend on a night out?.
