Hiring a matchmaker is one of the oldest traditions in Jewish dating, and in 2023 Netflix brought it to a whole new audience: the series Jewish Matchmaking put shidduch-style dating in front of millions of viewers. If you are thinking about working with a matchmaker in New York or Los Angeles, the first question is usually price. The short answer: anywhere from free to more than a million dollars. Here is what the published numbers say, and how to decide what is worth paying for.
TL;DR
- A traditional shadchan fee is customarily about $2,000 per couple, split between the two sides and paid only after an engagement or marriage.
- Boutique matchmakers in NYC publish consultations from about $350 to $475; LA memberships were reported at about $5,300 to $10,000 a year in 2022.
- Premium services for busy professionals were reported at about $20,000 to $26,000 in 2025.
- Elite firms commonly charge $50,000 to $250,000, and a few NYC and LA packages reach $1,000,000.
- Free and low-cost options exist, including volunteer matchmakers and nonprofit services like MeetJew.
In this guide
Jewish matchmaker prices at a glance
Matchmaking prices are rarely posted online, so the figures below come from published fee pages and news reports. Treat them as a starting point and ask each matchmaker for a written quote.
What a matchmaker can cost, by tier
Typical starting price reported for each tier, in US dollars
The traditional shadchan fee
In traditional and Orthodox communities, a shidduch is often made by a shadchan, a matchmaker who is paid only when the match works. The customary fee, called shadchanus, is about $2,000 per couple, usually split evenly between the two families, so roughly $1,000 per side. Nothing is owed if no marriage results, and families often settle the details with their rabbi.
Online, SawYouAtSinai follows the same model with volunteer matchmakers: a free basic membership, paid upgrades, and the customary fee on marriage. Many singles like that the matchmaker only earns when you do. See SawYouAtSinai on Instagram for their community stories. If observance is central to your search, our guide to Orthodox Jewish dating explains how the process usually works.
What matchmakers charge in New York City
New York has the widest price range in the country, because it has the largest Jewish singles population. A few published examples:
- Entry level: Jewish Match NYC lists a $475 in-person consultation or $350 by video or phone, with packages quoted after that first meeting.
- High end: Janis and Carly Spindel Serious Matchmaking, a well-known mother and daughter team, has been reported to offer packages from $25,000 into six figures, with VIP tiers reaching $500,000 and above (2016 reports). Their approach is very personal, and you can get a feel for it on their Instagram.
Most NYC clients fall somewhere in between. For more on the local scene, read our guide to Jewish dating in New York.
What matchmakers charge in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has its own booming matchmaking scene. In 2022, Israel Hayom reported that Matchmakers in the City, based in Beverly Hills, offered a $100 introductory option, a $5,300 yearly premium membership and a $10,000 yearly full membership. Their team shares dating advice on Instagram. At the very top, ABC7 reported in 2025 on an LA-based firm selling a $1,000,000, 12-month package.
LA is also home to MeetJew itself. Our co-founders, Aaron Raimi and Daniel Ebrahimi, started the project here, as Hadassah Magazine reported. MeetJew matchmaking is a nonprofit option built for singles who want a personal touch without a luxury price tag.
Is a paid matchmaker worth it?
It depends on what you value. Many people hire a matchmaker because they want a partner who shares their Jewish life, and they want help finding that person efficiently. Pew Research Center data shows how much that varies by community.
Married Jews whose spouse is also Jewish
Share of married US Jews with a Jewish spouse, by denomination
| 98% | 75% | 58% | 32% | 58% |
| Orthodox | Conservative | Reform | No denomination | All married Jews |
Pew also found that 61% of Jews who married since 2010 have a non-Jewish spouse. For singles who know they want a Jewish partner, that makes an intentional approach more valuable: a matchmaker screens for values and observance before you ever meet. We weigh the pros and cons in detail in should you pay for a Jewish matchmaker?
Questions to ask before you pay
Every service on this page has happy couples to its name, and every one is different. Do your own research, read reviews, and ask:
- How many introductions are included, and over what time period?
- Do you match from your own database, or recruit new people for each client?
- How well do you know my level of observance and my community?
- What is your refund or pause policy?
- Is there a fee on engagement or marriage, on top of the membership?
Not sure what you want yet? Take our dating survey and we will point you to the right next step.
Classic first-date spots in NYC and LA
Whatever you pay, the first date is where it gets real. A few easy, low-pressure spots:
- Russ & Daughters Cafe on the Lower East Side: bagels and lox with a century of Jewish history.
- Bethesda Terrace in Central Park: an easy walk if the conversation is flowing.
- Canter’s Deli on Fairfax: a classic for a casual first meeting.
- The Grove: shops, food and a fountain show for a relaxed stroll.
Jewish matchmaker cost FAQ: NYC and LA
How much does a Jewish matchmaker cost?
Anywhere from free to more than $1,000,000. Traditional shadchanim customarily receive about $2,000 per couple on marriage, boutique services often charge thousands a year, and elite firms commonly charge $50,000 to $250,000.
What is a shadchan fee?
It is the customary payment to a traditional Jewish matchmaker, about $2,000 per couple, usually split between the two sides and paid only after an engagement or marriage.
Are matchmakers more expensive in New York than Los Angeles?
Both cities have options at every level. NYC has more matchmakers and the widest range, while LA has well-known boutique firms and a few ultra-elite packages. Compare written quotes rather than city averages.
Are there free Jewish matchmakers?
Yes. Many communities have volunteer shadchanim, SawYouAtSinai offers a free basic membership, and MeetJew is a nonprofit option.
Do matchmakers guarantee results?
Most do not guarantee a marriage. Ask about the number of introductions, timelines and refund policies before you sign.