Affordability Remains Americans’ Top Financial Concern in 2026
By Lydia Saad
April 28, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
As the cost of living shows no signs of easing, affordability continues to dominate Americans’ financial worries, according to the latest findings from Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance survey.
Inflation and High Prices Lead Financial Concerns
The survey, conducted April 1-15, revealed that 31% of Americans named inflation and high prices as the foremost financial problem confronting their families. Though this figure is down from the 41% peak reported in 2024, it remains at a level similar to last year and is among the highest in Gallup’s two-decade-plus tracking of this issue.
Rising energy costs are also increasingly top of mind. The proportion of Americans mentioning energy expenses rose by 10 percentage points to 13%, marking the highest level since 2008. Energy costs now tie with housing as the second-biggest financial concern, each cited by 13% of respondents. Healthcare costs rank fourth, with consistent mention by 8% of Americans since 2020. ### Broad Affordability Pressures Affect Many
When combined, mentions of affordability-related challenges—including inflation, energy, housing, healthcare, college expenses, transportation, and childcare—vastly outnumber other financial concerns.
Other economic issues cited include taxes (6%), the overall state of the economy (2%), stock market fluctuations (2%), interest rates (2%), and Social Security (1%).
Insufficient income is another prominent worry, with 7% citing low wages or lack of money and 4% expressing concern about unemployment or job loss. Debt burdens are also notable, affecting 6% who worry about excessive debt generally and 1% who highlight credit card debt.
Savings worries are comparatively lower but still present, with 3% concerned about retirement savings and 2% about savings more broadly.
Financial Outlook Remains Dim for Majority of Americans
Reflecting ongoing economic difficulties, just 46% of Americans rate their current financial situation as "excellent" or "good," while 35% say their finances are "only fair," and 19% describe them as "poor." These figures have been relatively stable since 2022 but indicate a financial confidence level lower than in the 2016-2021 period when half or more Americans typically viewed their finances positively.
Most striking is the record 55% of Americans who feel their financial situation is worsening—up from 47% in 2024 and marking the fifth consecutive year in which more Americans report deteriorating rather than improving finances. This trend closely mirrors the sentiment seen during the Great Recession.
Persistent Worries Across Various Financial Areas
Major concerns remain high regarding retirement savings (62%) and the ability to cover medical costs from serious illness or accidents (60%). A majority (54%) also worry about their investment returns and maintaining their current standard of living.
Other issues include concerns about routine healthcare costs (48%), paying regular monthly bills (41%), affording college expenses (40%), housing costs (35%), and meeting minimum credit card payments (28%).
While these concerns have held steady over the past year, they remain elevated compared to levels seen in 2021. Since 2021, worries about credit card payments have increased by 11 percentage points, with both maintaining a standard of living and managing monthly bills up by 9 points. Notably, concern about college affordability has risen recently after a period of stagnation between 2021 and 2025. ### Bottom Line
Gallup’s 2026 survey underscores that affordability remains the dominant financial challenge facing U.S. households. High prices and ongoing inflation, combined with rising energy, housing, healthcare, and educational costs, continue to strain American families. Economic conditions such as taxes, income insufficiency, and debt burdens further compound financial stress, contributing to a broadly pessimistic financial outlook that mirrors challenging periods in recent history.
For many Americans, navigating these affordability challenges will remain a critical priority throughout the year. Policymakers and financial planners alike will be watching closely as these trends evolve.
This article is based on Gallup’s Economy and Personal Finance survey conducted in April 2026. For more information and detailed reports, visit Gallup’s official website.