Affordability Remains Top Financial Concern for Americans in 2026
By Lydia Saad
April 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ongoing challenge of affordability continues to dominate Americans’ financial worries, according to the latest findings from Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance survey conducted April 1–15, 2026. Despite slight improvements from peak concern levels, inflation and the high cost of living remain the primary financial pressures faced by U.S. households.
Inflation and Energy Costs Lead the Financial Worry List
When asked openly about the most important financial problems facing their families, 31% of Americans cited inflation and high prices, a figure that, while down from a 41% peak in 2024, remains close to the levels seen a year ago and among the highest in Gallup’s two-decade trend monitoring.
Energy costs have also surged as a key concern. Now mentioned by 13% of Americans—up 10 percentage points since last year—energy prices have reached their highest worry level since 2008. This rise places energy on par with housing costs, which are also a critical concern for many families.
Healthcare remains the fourth most cited issue, with 8% of respondents naming it as a top financial problem, consistent with figures tracked since 2020. ### Broad Affordability Issues Outweigh Other Financial Concerns
The overall financial worries paint a clear picture: affordability-related problems overwhelmingly eclipse other financial issues. Inflation, energy, housing, healthcare, as well as costs related to college education, transportation, and childcare collectively constitute the largest category of concerns.
Other economic factors such as taxes (6%), the broader state of the economy (2%), the stock market (2%), interest rates (2%), and Social Security (1%) were cited less frequently by respondents.
Income-related problems also figure prominently. Seven percent of Americans mentioned insufficient income or low wages, while 4% worried about unemployment or job loss. Concerns about debt were reported by 6% (general debt) and 1% specifically about credit card debt. The least common financial challenges mentioned involved savings, with 3% concerned about retirement savings and 2% about general savings.
Gallup notes this is the fifth consecutive year that affordability has been the leading concern by a significant margin.
Financial Hardship Felt by Majority Amid Rising Prices
Supporting these concerns, a related Gallup Panel survey revealed that 55% of Americans say recent price increases have made it harder for them to maintain their standard of living. This figure remains largely unchanged from 2023 levels but is higher than measurements from late 2021 and early 2022. ### Consumer Financial Outlook Remains Dim
Americans’ assessment of their own financial health has remained relatively flat since 2022. Currently, 46% describe their financial situation as “excellent” or “good,” while 35% say it is “only fair,” and 19% characterize it as “poor.” These ratings contrast with the more positive outlook typically recorded between 2016 and 2021 and instead resemble financial sentiments more common during the period from 2008 to 2015. The long-term trend is concerning: a record 55% of Americans now report that their financial situation is worsening—a slight increase from 53% last year and up from 47% in 2024. This marks the fifth consecutive year that more people perceive their finances as deteriorating rather than improving, a pattern last seen during the Great Recession.
Widespread Financial Fears Persist
Additional data from Gallup highlight enduring financial worries among Americans. Majorities express concern about:
- Having enough money for retirement (62%)
- Being able to cover medical costs associated with serious illness or accidents (60%)
- Investment returns (54%)
- Maintaining current standards of living (54%)
Nearly half of respondents are also anxious about covering routine healthcare expenses (48%) and meeting regular monthly bills (41%), while 40% worry about paying for college education. Housing costs and the ability to meet minimum credit card payments worry 35% and 28% of Americans, respectively.
Though levels of concern have held steady compared with last year, they remain elevated compared with data collected in 2021, reflecting the impact of inflation and cost increases over recent years. Notably, worry about making minimum credit card payments has risen 11 percentage points since 2021, with both maintaining one’s standard of living and paying monthly bills up by nine points over the same period. Concern over affording college has also climbed from about one-third in previous years to 40% in 2026. ### Conclusion
Affordability remains the paramount financial challenge facing American households. From daily living expenses to healthcare and education costs, concerns about managing the cost of living far surpass other economic issues. This persistent financial pressure contributes to a generally pessimistic outlook among Americans regarding their current and future financial wellbeing.
As these trends continue, policymakers and financial leaders may face increasing demand to address the affordability crisis that impacts millions of American families.
This report is based on Gallup’s latest Economy and Personal Finance survey and supplemental panel data from 2026.