Cost Of Living Still Americans’ Top Worry; More Than Half Say Finances Are Getting Worse: Poll
Americans continue to grapple with persistent cost pressures, with a new survey showing that affordability remains the single biggest financial concern for households across the country.
The latest Gallup poll, conducted from April 1 to April 15 among U.S. adults, showed that 31% of respondents identified inflation and high prices as the most important financial problem facing their families. Although lower than the 41% peak recorded in 2024, the figure remains among the highest seen in over two decades.
The survey, which captured a broad national sample, highlights how rising costs across essential categories continue to dominate financial anxieties. Energy costs in particular have emerged as a growing worry, with 13% of participants citing them, up by 10 percentage points from last year and the highest level since 2008. Housing costs were mentioned by an equal 13%, while healthcare expenses stood at 8%, broadly in line with trends seen since 2020.
Overall, affordability-related concerns, including inflation, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare and education costs, far outweighed all other financial issues cited in the survey.
Other economic factors trailed significantly. Taxes were mentioned by 6% of respondents, while 2% pointed to the broader economy, stock market or interest rates. Concerns related to Social Security were cited by just 1%.
Income-related challenges also featured, with 7% of respondents pointing to low wages or lack of money, and 4% citing unemployment or job loss. Meanwhile, 6% flagged general debt as their main issue, and 1% specifically pointed to credit card debt. Concerns around savings were relatively limited, with 3% worried about retirement savings and 2% about overall savings.
Notably, the survey reflects a worsening outlook among Americans about their financial future. A record 55% said their financial situation is getting worse, compared with 53% last year and 47% in 2024. This marks the fifth consecutive year that more Americans report declining finances than improving ones, a pattern last observed during the Great Recession.
Current financial sentiment remains subdued. 46% of respondents rated their financial situation as “excellent” or “good,” while 35% described it as “only fair” and 19% as “poor.”
Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that while inflation has moderated since its 2022 peak, prices for essentials such as food, housing and energy remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, the International Monetary Fund has noted that cost-of-living pressures continue to affect advanced economies, including the United States, even as headline inflation cools.
Consumer sentiment data also reflects ongoing strain. The Conference Board reported that consumer confidence levels remain uneven, particularly among lower- and middle-income households, pointing to continued concerns over purchasing power and financial stability.
Gallup’s findings further show that 62% of Americans worry about having enough money for retirement, while 60% are concerned about covering medical costs in the event of a serious illness. Another 54% worry about maintaining their standard of living, with the same proportion concerned about investment returns.
Additionally, 48% expressed concern about routine healthcare expenses, 41% about paying monthly bills, and 40% about affording college education. Housing costs (35%) and credit card payments (28%) were cited by smaller but still notable shares.
