Cost, Certainty, and Risk in Intimate Exchange: A Companion Study of Conventional Dating, Licensed Nevada Brothels, and Illegal Street-Level Commercial Sex

This companion study compares the economic structure of conventional dating, licensed Nevada brothel transactions, and illegal street-level commercial sex. It separates direct price, transportation and access costs, outcome certainty, regulation, health exposure, criminal-justice exposure, violence, theft, exploitation, and lack of recourse. The study extends The Economics of Dating in American Cities. It uses published reports, government sources, academic research, and transparent cost scenarios rather than claiming a single national average. Nevada brothel prices are privately negotiated, while illegal street-market prices exclude many hidden risks from the quoted amount. The findings show that these categories purchase different outcomes and should not be ranked by direct price alone. Conventional dating offers relational potential but no guaranteed romantic outcome. Licensed brothels charge more while providing defined service boundaries within authorized Nevada jurisdictions. Illegal street-level commercial sex often has the lowest quoted price, but its apparent price advantage declines when hidden exposure and uncertainty are included. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22074549