95% of Americans See Affordability Crisis as Half Struggle With Groceries and Gas
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 7
95% of Americans See Affordability Crisis as Half Struggle With Groceries and Gas
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 7
Summary
Half of Americans say they are struggling to afford groceries and gas, while 95% believe the US is in an affordability crisis, according to a new Harris poll for the Guardian.
57% now say the economy is getting worse, up from 46% in February, after the Iran war pushed inflation higher and sent gas prices soaring even as pump prices have been slow to retreat.
Republican sentiment also deteriorated: 27% now say the economy is improving, down from 49% in February, while 38% say it is worsening; among rural Americans, that figure reached 64%.
Two-thirds of Americans have little faith the federal government will ease living costs, and 54% of independents who see a crisis say neither party has a solution.
The poll underscores a widening gap between solid headline data—111,000 average monthly job gains over three months—and household strain, with May inflation at 4.2%, wages down 0.7% year over year and about half struggling with debt.
Stocks are at record highs, yet 95% of Americans face an affordability crisis. What explains this economic paradox?
Beyond the recent war, what is making necessities like childcare and housing fundamentally unaffordable for most American families?
With peace secured, why has relief from high gas and grocery prices failed to reach American families?
The 2026 Affordability Crisis: How Rising Costs and Economic Inequality Are Reshaping American Life
Overview
Americans are facing a growing affordability crisis, marked by uneven economic growth where higher-income families see bigger pay increases while lower-income households struggle with rising costs for essentials like groceries, housing, and healthcare. This strain is spreading beyond big cities to traditionally affordable regions, weakening job growth and public confidence. Many people are cutting back on spending, carrying more debt, and feeling pessimistic about their financial future. Communities and institutions are responding with grassroots efforts and new financial tools, but challenges remain, especially as political leaders debate solutions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.