46% of Americans Say One Salary No Longer Suffices, Up 7 Points Since 2022
Updated
Updated · Insurance Business · Jun 10
46% of Americans Say One Salary No Longer Suffices, Up 7 Points Since 2022
1 articles · Updated · Insurance Business · Jun 10
Summary
A TruStage survey of 8,813 U.S. consumers found 46% now say one salary is not enough, up from 39% in 2022, underscoring a broader shift toward financial survival over traditional markers of success.
Financial stability now defines the American Dream for many respondents, with retiring comfortably at 35%, being debt-free at 34% and providing for a family at 34% topping the list.
Pressure was strongest among Black consumers at 58%, Millennials at 52% and BIPOC consumers overall at 50%; neurodivergent respondents also reported higher anxiety, with 34% worried about finances versus 22% of neurotypical peers.
Rising costs are adding to that strain: Insurify projects average U.S. home insurance premiums will hit $3,057 by end-2026, about $900 more annually than in 2021.
Even so, protection demand has held up—LIMRA said new annualized U.S. life-insurance premium rose 10% year over year to $4.5 billion in Q1 2026, suggesting stress is pushing some consumers toward coverage.
If 1 in 5 Americans is neurodivergent and more anxious, is our financial system fundamentally designed to fail them?
When running out of money is a greater fear than death, what does this reveal about our society's core values?
Economic Insecurity in 2026: How the Cost-of-Living Crisis Is Forcing Americans Into Multiple Jobs
Overview
As of mid-2026, many Americans are facing significant financial strain, with a growing number struggling to achieve or maintain a middle-class lifestyle. Opportunities for the middle class are shrinking as the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. This widening gap between stagnant paychecks and increasing prices means that primary incomes are often not enough, pushing millions into a constant struggle to cover basic expenses. As a result, it has become common for people to work second jobs just to afford essentials like rent and food, highlighting the daily challenges faced by households across the nation.