Affordability Remains Top Financial Concern for Americans in 2026
By Lydia Saad — April 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The high cost of living continues to dominate the financial worries of American families, according to the latest Gallup Economy and Personal Finance survey. Despite some fluctuations, affordability issues remain among the highest concerns in Gallup’s more than two decades of polling.
Inflation and Energy Costs Lead Concerns
In the April 1–15, 2026, survey, 31% of Americans identified inflation and high prices as the most pressing financial problems facing their households. While this figure is below the 41% peak recorded in 2024, it is consistent with levels from the previous year and remains one of the highest reported over the last 20 years.
Energy costs have seen a notable rise in concern this year, with 13% of respondents citing them as a financial challenge—a 10 percentage point increase from 2025 and the highest level since 2008. This spike has pushed energy costs into a tie with housing expenses as the second-largest financial concern. Healthcare costs, another persistent worry, rank fourth at 8%, maintaining a steady presence since 2020. ### Broader Affordability Issues Outlook
When combined, concerns over inflation, energy, housing, healthcare, college expenses, transportation, and childcare illustrate that affordability issues overwhelmingly outpace other types of financial challenges among American households.
Following affordability, economic condition concerns such as taxes (6%), the state of the economy (2%), the stock market (2%), interest rates (2%), and Social Security (1%) were mentioned. Income insufficiency is another significant category, with 7% pointing to low wages or lack of money, and 4% discussing unemployment or job loss.
Debt-related worries also remain notable: 6% of Americans say they have too much debt in general, while 1% single out credit card debt specifically. Meanwhile, concerns about savings are less frequently mentioned, with only 3% worried about retirement savings and 2% about savings in general.
Affordability has been the leading financial concern for five consecutive years, illustrating persistent economic pressures on households.
Sharp Rise in Financial Hardship
Supporting these findings, a separate Gallup Panel survey reveals that 55% of Americans view recent price increases as a hardship that has negatively affected their ability to sustain their standard of living. This figure has stayed relatively stable since 2023 after being lower in late 2021 and early 2022. ### Consumer Financial Outlook Remains Bleak
Americans’ evaluations of their current finances continue to reflect uncertainty. Less than half (46%) rate their financial situation positively (either “excellent” or “good”), while 35% describe it as “only fair,” and 19% say it is “poor.” These sentiments have remained steady since 2022. This outlook contrasts with the period from 2016 to 2021, when half or more often reported a positive financial status. Today’s financial assessments are more aligned with levels from 2008 to 2015, albeit not as negative as the lowest points during the Great Recession years of 2009 to 2011. ### Record Number Say Financial Situation Is Worsening
For the fifth consecutive year, more Americans report that their financial situation is deteriorating rather than improving. In 2026, a record 55% say their finances are getting worse, slightly up from 53% in 2025 and a notable increase from 47% in 2024. The only other time in recent history when a majority felt their financial situation was worsening over multiple years was during the Great Recession.
Elevated Specific Financial Worries Persist
Concerns about key financial challenges are largely steady compared with last year but remain elevated relative to 2021. Majorities of Americans worry about economic security issues such as:
- Not having enough money for retirement (62%)
- Covering medical costs in the event of serious illness or accident (60%)
- Investment returns (54%)
- Maintaining their standard of living (54%)
Other notable worries include routine healthcare costs (48%), paying normal monthly bills (41%), affording college tuition (40%), housing costs (35%), and making minimum credit card payments (28%).
Since 2021, there has been a significant rise in concern about credit card payments (up 11 points), standard of living, and monthly bills (each up 9 points). College affordability, which was steady between 2021 and 2025, has now increased to 40%.
Conclusion
Affordability remains the foremost financial challenge for American households in 2026. Concerns about inflation, energy, housing, healthcare, and related expenses overwhelmingly surpass other financial issues, underscoring ongoing economic strains faced by many U.S. families.
About the Survey:
Gallup’s Economy and Personal Finance survey is conducted annually and in 2026 included responses from April 1 through April 15. The data highlights trends in public opinion regarding financial issues across the United States.
For further information, visit Gallup.com.