Nearly 80% of single Chinese males consider high "bride price" unacceptable, according to an online survey by a Chinese match-making website.

The intolerance is more obvious among males in Beijing and Shanghai. These two cities, along with Hangzhou, topped the country in terms of "bride prices", ranging from 110,000 to 200,000 RMB, or about $17-31,000.

A 30-year-old man surnamed He from Beijing said he understands the popular traditional custom. However, the skyrocketing cost has outdistanced his income, He said, adding that he believes his love is more important.

According to the report, nearly half of the respondents would take the origins of their dates into consideration. People in Shanghai lay the most importance on this factor, with a proportion of 56.25%. The report also revealed that people born in the 1980s consider this factor more important than those born in the 1970s and 1990s.

Zhang Shasha, a relationship expert, attributed this phenomenon to three major reasons. She said similar lifestyles reduce contradictions between couples, and it is also convenient to go back to their hometowns if they come from the same place. In addition, they could choose to settle in their hometowns if they ever decided to give up their careers in the metropolis.

Statistics show that Sichuan women are the most sought after as spouses for Chinese males, while men from Guangdong enjoy the best “sale” among Chinese women.

Eight percent of the female respondents said they have a strict standard for match-making, in which income, family background, and character are prioritized.