Select the expenses that are placing the most strain on your household (Select top 5 expenses)

Background

Household expenses have become a defining economic concern for Americans in 2026. Gallup's annual Economy and Personal Finance survey, conducted in April 2026, found that 31 percent of adults named the high cost of living as the single most important financial problem facing their families, with energy costs and housing costs tied as the second-biggest concern at 13 percent each, followed by healthcare at 8 percent. According to doxo's 2026 U.S. Household Bill Pay Report, the typical consumer now spends roughly $39,468 per year on household bills, with housing alone accounting for nearly $1.82 trillion in combined mortgage and rent payments nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 3.3 percent year over year in March 2026, driven by a 21.2 percent spike in gasoline prices linked to geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, a Harris Poll survey for the American Institute of CPAs found that half of Americans with financial goals for 2026 fear cost-of-living increases in housing, groceries, and utilities could prevent them from meeting those goals.

Economists and analysts are divided on the severity and proper response to these pressures. Some point out that the broader economy remains resilient by historical standards, with continued job growth and GDP expansion, and argue that inflation has moderated significantly from its 9.1 percent peak in 2022. Others emphasize that real wage gains have been nearly wiped out, with wage growth of 3.5 percent barely outpacing inflation. A Century Foundation survey found that nearly three in ten Americans delayed or skipped medical care due to cost, and roughly two-thirds switched to cheaper groceries or bought less food. According to a Primerica analysis, 68 percent of middle-income Americans say their income is falling behind the cost of living. The Consumer Bankers Association has noted that the fastest-growing expenses for average Americans are healthcare, housing, food, and vehicles, while the Federal Reserve's research shows that many households lack adequate savings to absorb financial shocks.

The financial strain is widespread but not evenly distributed. A record 55 percent of Americans now tell Gallup their financial situation is getting worse, the highest share since the firm began tracking the question in 2001. Gallup also found that 62 percent worry about having enough money for retirement and 60 percent fear being unable to cover medical costs after a serious illness. For families with children, child care costs can consume between 9 and 16 percent of median income, according to the Department of Labor. How policymakers, employers, and households respond to these overlapping cost pressures on housing, energy, healthcare, food, and transportation will shape Americans' economic well-being heading into the midterm election cycle and beyond.