The Ultimate Sugar Baby Allowance Guide 2024

This is the ultimate sugar baby allowance guide, updated for 2024. It is a must read if you’re after what every sugar baby is. Yes, the famed sugar baby allowance. For many, this is the holy grail of sugar relationships. And it’s no wonder why.

A regular infusion of cash, having your bills covered, being able to afford those little luxuries without spending your own money. The benefits of a sugar baby allowance go on and on.

But at the same time, it is a tricky topic. There are just so many questions and variables. Like what is a reasonable amount to ask for? How do you receive a sugar baby allowance? How often should a sugar baby be paid?

That’s why we’re here. We’ll cover:

• What a sugar baby allowance is – and isn’t
• What the average sugar baby allowance is
• The factors that determine a sugar baby’s allowance
• A sugar baby monthly allowance vs PPM
• When to talk about the sugar baby allowance

We’re going to deep dive into everything – literally, everything – to do with a sugar baby allowance, but before we get to that, let’s address the basics first.

What is a Sugar Baby Allowance?

A sugar baby allowance is simply what a sugar daddy pays a sugar baby. It is basically an amount that you pre-agree upon and then you continue to receive on a regular basis for the entire duration of your arrangement.

Kind of like having a job, but fun.

The kind of sugar baby allowance you receive will depend on a lot of factors, such as your location and the sort of sugar relationship you have. It can also take on many different forms.

For example, a sugar baby allowance can be:

• Given on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or per meet basis

• Enough to cover just fun luxuries or all of your living expenses and then some

• No cash changes hands but tuition and bills paid for

• Paid via cash, bank transfer, bill payment, PayPal or Venmo, or even cryptocurrency

Read: How Do Sugar Babies Get Paid? 7 Safe Ways to Receive Money

The point is that a sugar baby allowance can be many different things. But there’s one thing it definitely is not…

What a Sugar Baby Allowance Is NOT

First things first – there is a lot of confusion about what a sugar baby allowance actually is – and what it’s definitely not.

Many new sugar babies fall into the trap of trying to determine how much allowance they’re “worth” based on things like their looks, their age, their body size, etc.

Seriously – don’t even go there.

A sugar baby’s allowance is not about how much you’re “worth.” YOU are priceless. There is no way to set a monetary value on yourself and your qualities so don’t even try.

Especially since trying to determine your “worth” is really beside the point.

You see, the sugar baby allowance is very simple. You’re not figuring out your “worth” – you’re simply setting a price for the time, attention, effort, and contribution that you’re willing to make to a sugar daddy’s life.

The most important thing is finding the sweet spot monetary range that makes both of you happy.

Of course, this all varies from sugar daddy to sugar daddy and from sugar baby to sugar baby. But to give you a starting point, let’s take a look at the average sugar baby allowance.

What is the Average Sugar Baby Allowance?

One of the easiest ways to get an idea of what range your sugar baby allowance should be is by seeing what the average sugar baby allowance is.

And if you were applying for a job in any other industry, you’d be able to do a simple Google search to see how others in your industry are being paid. But you can’t exactly do that for a sugar baby allowance.

Read: How Much Do Sugar Babies Make? The Average Allowance Is…

So how you figure out the average sugar baby allowance? We did quite a lot of research into what sugar babies make. And here’s the truth: sugar baby allowances can vary. A lot.

That’s why there is no such thing as an average sugar baby allowance. There is only a range. Here’s what it looks like:

• Big cities with high cost of living: $2,000 to $10,000 per month

• Smaller cities with lower cost of living: $1,000 to $5,000 per month

Are there sugar babies in smaller cities who are clearing $7,000 per month? Of course. Are there sugar babies in larger cities who are making $1,500 per month? Again, it’s possible.

There are always outliers but in general, the above is a good estimate of what the majority of sugar babies are likely receiving for allowance.

Here are the factors that influence where you fall in this allowance range…

Factors that Determine Sugar Baby Allowance

There’s good reason why the sugar baby allowance ranges so very much. In short, when you go searching for the average sugar baby allowance, there are a lot of numbers. The truth is, though, that the numbers don’t tell you much.

For starters, they don’t tell you the location. Or how often the sugar participants meet. Or even what the terms of the sugar arrangement are. And all of this matters when it comes to setting a sugar baby allowance.

And since setting your allowance number can be tricky, let’s take a look at a few factors that’ll help you find the sugar baby allowance that works for you (and your potential sugar daddy).

A sugar baby’s allowance can vary on so many factors, such as:

Where do you live?

What’s true in real estate is true for sugar babies as well: it’s all about location, location, location.

Yup. One of the biggest factors that will determine a sugar baby allowance is your location. Big cities come with big prices because the chances are higher that sugar daddies living in these cities will earn more. It also means that sugar babies living in these cities have a higher cost of living.

So naturally, a sugar baby allowance in the most expensive cities – New York, Bay Area, Miami – can be much higher than a sugar baby allowance in the least expensive cites like Cleveland or Detroit.

Who’s your sugar daddy?

What a sugar daddy can afford is hugely dependent on what his net worth is. Most sugar daddies are mid to high income earners with set salaries.

Only a small percentage of sugar daddies are proper “whales” who are in the sort of wealth class where they could afford the extreme high end of sugar baby allowances.

Who’s the sugar baby?

In general, sugar babies who are beautiful, fit, and groomed are going to have a larger proportion of interested potential sugar daddies to choose from. And by extension, a greater sugar baby allowance range to tap into.

Other soft factors will also factor in, such as education, elegance, eloquence, and age. And of course, you can’t disregard the strength of connection. Sugar relationships are first and foremost relationships. So if a sugar daddy finds a baby that he gets on with like peanut butter and jelly, he’s going to be a lot more inclined to meet her allowance expectations.

Is there intimacy?

There are many types of sugar arrangements, ranging from a platonic friendship to marriage. Naturally, sugar baby allowances do depend on how intimate a sugar relationship is.

For example, a platonic sugar relationship typically has a lower average sugar baby allowance than an intimate sugar relationship.

What are the terms of the arrangement?

How often you meet and how long you meet for are practicalities that are going to determine the sugar baby allowance. Naturally, the more frequently you meet and the longer the dates are, the higher the sugar baby allowance will be.

How long is the arrangement?

A sugar relationship that is just beginning can be different from one that has continued for years. A sugar daddy who has developed a relationship with a sugar baby for several years is much more invested into taking care of her.

What’s important to you?

These are the soft factors that play into any human dynamic. A sugar baby may have a preferred allowance of $3,500 but she may be willing to make an exception for a sugar daddy who she has a great dynamic with or who she’s very attracted to or can provide other benefits that are as important as money like career advice or connections.

Ditto for sugar daddies. A sugar daddy may prefer to pay up to $3,500 for a sugar baby allowance but he may make an exception for a sugar baby who is exactly his type.

Sugar Baby Allowance vs Pay Per Meet

Another factor to consider when it comes to a sugar baby allowance is the simple fact that not all sugar relationships have the same payment arrangements.

Some sugar daddies prefer to pay a regular monthly or weekly sugar baby allowance while others opt for a Pay Per Meet style of arrangement.

Here is each one, in a nutshell:

• Sugar Baby Monthly Allowance: This is exactly what it sounds like – a sugar baby and sugar daddy agree upon a set monthly allowance for the sugar baby.

• Pay Per Meet: Another popular arrangement is instead of setting a monthly sugar baby allowance, the sugar daddy agrees to a set sugar baby allowance per visit.

Both payment options have their pros and cons. Let’s dive in a bit deeper into each one so you know what to expect.

Sugar Baby Monthly Allowance

The best part of having a sugar baby monthly allowance is that it sets the stage for a more stable, long-term arrangement. Typically, by the time a sugar daddy and baby have agreed to a monthly allowance, both are planning to be in the arrangement for at least a couple of months.

It’s also beneficial for sugar babies because it allows babies to count on a set amount of money every month, which is great for budgeting and setting financial goals.

Sugar daddies benefit as well, since daddies don’t have to pay to meet more frequently and there’s a sense of having regular access to their sugar baby.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the pros and cons of a sugar baby monthly allowance:

Sugar Baby Allowance Per Visit

This arrangement has certain benefits, such as allowing both parties to test the arrangement – and put a stop to it fairly easily – without much risk. In that sense, it can benefit the sugar daddy more than the sugar baby.

At the same time, it also has an upside for sugar babies since it is generally easier to get a potential sugar daddy to agree to a sugar baby allowance per visit than a regular monthly allowance. As such, it’s a good entryway into a potentially more long-term arrangement.

Read: What Does PPM Stand For? Pay Per Meet Deconstructed

Another perk of the allowance per visit option is that it allows sugar daddies to date multiple sugar babies, freeing up his sugar fund to spend on the sugar babies he prefers most in any given month.

If this sounds unfair for sugar babies, it doesn’t have to be. If a sugar baby has limited time and knows that she cannot be available for the regular dates that a monthly allowance typically demands, this is a great option to add some sugar to your life without fully committing.

When to Discuss Sugar Baby Allowance?

People can be funny when it comes to talking about money. Which is especially ironic because money is part and parcel of a sugar arrangement. So as awkward as it may feel at first, keep in mind that you both met on a sugar daddy website. And get on with the talk.

Read: How to Tell a Sugar Daddy What You Want in 5 Steps

So when’s the best time? Well, you really have three options:

• Before the First Sugar Date. There are many sugar daddies and babies who prefer to only go on dates with those who are within their preferred range. The greatest benefit is to this is that it reduces the chances of wasting your time. It may seem a very direct discussion to have pre-meet but it lets you suss out if your sugar baby allowance ranges match up before you make the effort to meet up. If you’re protective of your time and want to flesh out whether you’re both in the same range, bringing up the topic during a phone call is a good way to go about this.

• During the First Sugar Date. If you’re very skilled at negotiation and smiling through awkward talks, this could be an option. But most sugar daters prefer to enjoy the first sugar date for what it is – a chance for enjoyment, to feel each other out and get a sense of the dynamic, and thoroughly impress each other. Not talk business. Afterwards, if you’re both interested, is the best time to have the talk.

• After the First Sugar Date. Our honest answer is that the best time to discuss sugar baby allowances is after the first date. The first date is the audition. You look your best, flirt, tease, and show exactly the sort of sugar baby he’ll be getting. The greatest benefit of this is that it tends to maximize what you can get. If the sugar daddy is left feeling smitten, he’s more likely to agree to your sugar baby allowance expectations.

Read: First Sugar Daddy Date Tips That Make Him Want You

What is a Reasonable Allowance Expectation?

No sugar baby allowance guide is complete without digging into one important question that will definitely come up. Oftentimes, a sugar daddy will point blank ask for a number when discussing sugar baby allowance expectations.

So what’s a reasonable amount of money to ask from a sugar daddy?

Read: The Most Reasonable Sugar Baby Allowance Calculator

Like we said above, it depends on you. It should, however, fall into the average sugar baby allowance for the kind of city you live in. But that’s a broad range. So here are a couple options for reasonable allowance expectations and their pros and cons.

It’s Negotiable

Many sugar babies like to say that “it depends” or “it’s negotiable” because, well, it’s the easiest. You figure that it dissuades potential sugar daddies dismissing you right off the cuff because you state an allowance amount that may be too high.

You want to leave the conversation open until you can impress the potential sugar daddy and negotiate the actual sugar baby allowance you want. And that may happen – saying that your sugar baby allowance is “negotiable” can result in more potential sugar daddies. But this is both a pro and a con.

Because you’re not trying to open yourself to each and every potential sugar daddy on the market. No no – you’re trying to find a sugar daddy who’s willing and able to give you the allowance you want. 

Your time is limited and it should be spent pursuing the sugar daddies who are going to be able to afford you in the first place. Which is why we are fans of stating the range you want upfront.

Another reason the “Negotiable” is not a good option is that most sugar babies are seriously uncomfortable talking about money. If you’re a sugar baby who’s mastered the art of negotiation and can talk cash with a sugar daddy without batting an eyelid – leading with “it’s negotiable” might work for you.

But if the thought of discussing money with a stranger makes you squirm uncomfortably – it’s much better to state a clearer picture of what you want.

$1,000 to $3,000

If you’re looking for a monthly sugar baby allowance that is in the $1,000 to $3,000 range, know that is considered within the minimal to practical range and it shouldn’t be hard to find.

Our advice is two-fold:

• Ask for a little higher than what you need. If you want $1,000 a month because you’re looking for just a little extra sugar in your life, ask for $2,000. If the sugar daddy wants to negotiate, you’ll still at least get the initial amount you wanted.
• Go on paid dates. If you’re looking for a sugar daddy for an extra $1K or $2K a month, you might not even need a full-time sugar daddy. You can do very well just going on paid dates with What’s Your Price. The whole process is free for sugar babies.

$3,000 to $5,000

This is the sweet spot for the majority of sugar babies. And it is the amount that most sugar babies will ask for and the majority of sugar daddies will be on board with.

For this range, we recommend just stating it upfront. It allows you to immediately weed out the sugar daddies who’re unable to provide within your range and you get to know that the potential sugar daddies you’ll be lining up sugar dates with are comfortable with the allowance you’ve stated. Win-win.

Stating it as a range is a good idea because you’re not limiting yourself to $3,000 when a sugar daddy could easily afford $5,000. Just have a clear idea of why there is a range. For example, $3,000 could be meeting 2 or 3 times a month and that you are not exclusive. Whereas $5,000 would be exclusivity and 4 to 5 meets a month.

$5,000 to $10,000

There are definitely sugar babies who are receiving allowances of this range, but to be honest, they are in the minority. To get a sugar baby allowance that is between $5,000 to $10,000, it’s likely that you’ll be living in a big city with plenty of wealthy sugar daddies (and a higher cost of living).

And you will need to be in the top 10% of sugar babies in terms of looks, personality, and the experience you can provide a sugar daddy.

If you are looking for a sugar daddy who can provide this amount, you need to be ready to do due diligence on your potential sugar daddies. And ruthlessly weed out the sugar daddies who simply do not have enough wealth or income to afford this level of allowance.

You Want More

You want more. We all know what we mean by “more” – yup, we’re talking about the holy grail of sugar baby allowances. You know, those $10,000+ per month allowances we all not-so-secretly dream about. In case you’re wondering if they exist – yes, they do.

There are whales in the sugar world who are able to provide the highest end of sugar baby allowances. But they’re seriously difficult to come by and they will take their sweet time in building up trust with you before they begin to shell out the sugar. Why? These few and rare sugar daddies have their pick of the barrel.

If you’re lucky enough to land a sugar daddy you like who has the income to fund a huge allowance – more power to you! But for most sugar babies, asking the average sugar daddy for an allowance of $10,000+ is not going to go down well. So if you’re an aspiring sugar baby – stick to finding a comfortable allowance that covers your living expenses plus some sugar.

FAQs on Sugar Baby Allowance

If you haven’t found all the answers you’re looking for on the above sugar baby allowance guide, here are some more popularly asked questions.

Why Does the Sugar Baby Allowance Vary So Much?

Simply because the sugar participants vary so much. Some sugar daddies may not have too much disposable income to spend on a sugar baby. Others may have more than enough and be able to provide generously.

It also depends heavily on the sugar baby. For example, a newbie sugar baby who is unsure of herself and desperate to make ends meet might run into a couple fake sugar daddies and scammers. By the time she meets a genuine sugar daddy, she’s more than willing to settle for even a minimal allowance.

Read: 7 Sugar Daddy Scams You Need to Know Before It’s Too Late

A more experienced, more confident sugar baby, on the other hand, may be a lot better at spotting wealthier sugar daddies who are more inclined to spend generously. She is also more ruthless at weeding out sugar daddies who wouldn’t be able to provide.

And last but not least, there are other factors. Location is one. The time and energy spent on the arrangement is another. All these factor into the huge range of sugar baby allowances.

How Often Should You Meet?

There is no set amount. As with most things regarding sugar relationships, the frequency depends on the sugar participants. It can be as often as several times a week or even just once a month.

Some sugar relationships can be very infrequent – for example, a visiting businessman sugar daddy who only comes to your city every couple months. Whereas other sugar relationships even transition into a live-in situation.

There are no rules. The only thing that matter is that both parties are satisfied with the arrangement.

How Long is the Average Sugar Date?

Again, it completely depends on the sugar participants involved. Some sugar dates are going to be short meetups for dinner and company. Others are going to be overnighters or even all weekend trips. It’s not unusual to have a mix of those for a long-term arrangement.

For the average PPM arrangements, though, the average duration of a date is around 4 to 5 hours. Anything less than that – say, dinner and drinks over the course of 2 to 3 hours – will usually have a sugar baby allowance per visit that’s on the lower range of the payment scale.

Similarly, anything more than that – for example, overnight stays or weekend trips – will have a sugar baby allowance per visit that’s on the higher end of the payment scale.

What Should a Sugar Daddy Pay for On a First Date?

Ah, the M&G (the meet and greet). Opinions vary massively. Most sugar babies will not ask for money for the first date. But the expectation is that the sugar daddy pay for dinner and cover transportation at least. If he shows up with an unprompted gift – something small, maybe a box of chocolates or something that’s $50 or less that the sugar baby mentioned wanting – that’s major brownie points.

Some sugar babies might ask for money before you meet. In general, we really don’t recommend you do this. The chances are that she’s a rinser or scammer who has no actual intentions to meet up.

Editor’s Note: I’ve gone on dates with potential sugar daddies who gifted me several hundred dollars after a first date just to show that they were genuinely interested. This was very appreciated but certainly never expected or asked for.

Overall, the meet and greet should’ve involve the exchange of money. It’s understood that expenses incurred are paid for by the sugar daddy. Anything beyond that should not be expected or demanded.

And there you have it – the full sugar baby allowance guide. If there’s anything you want to add about your own experience, let us know in the comments!