Americans strongly believe that the President and Congress are influencing their personal financial situation.

Washington, D.C. — A comprehensive new nationwide survey of 6,559 U.S. adults reveals that economic anxiety has moved beyond a “pocketbook issue” to a pervasive state of household instability. Released today by Murmuration and Voto Latino, the data shows that 56% of Americans are now “financially uncomfortable,” with 71% of the country regularly worrying about their ability to pay for basic necessities.

These findings define a critical challenge for the current moment: as families navigate a shared reality of rising costs, there is an overwhelming demand for policy interventions in housing and utilities. If these trends continue, this economic strain will shape more than just personal finances—it will define the political outcomes of the November midterms.

Americans are facing growing financial strain driven by inflation—and increasingly by rising gas prices that are squeezing household budgets in real time. While the administration is pointing to tax returns as relief, many Americans feel those measures fall short of addressing the deeper, long-term economic pressures they are experiencing.

Key findings of the poll:

The Scale of the Struggle: 9 in 10 Americans Report “Daily Financial Discomfort”

• 71% of Americans are worrying about covering their monthly bills.
• 9 in 10 Americans reports living with “daily financial discomfort” as they struggle to keep up with rising costs.

How Rising Fuel Costs are Forcing Household Cutbacks

• Nearly half (48%) of Americans have been forced to cut back on driving or travel.
• 34% of Americans are now spending less on household essentials just to afford fuel.
• 15% of Americans are changing their commute or work habits to avoid the pump.

• 11% of Americans have shifted to carpooling or public transit.

Americans Point to the President and Congress for Financial Pain

• 62% say the President and Congress have “a lot” of influence over their ability to make ends meet.

Rising Inflation Is Driving Americans Into Difficult Financial Tradeoffs

• 43% have reduced social and family activities.
• 34% have skipped meals or cut food spending.
• 32% increased credit card use; 26% using buy-now-pay-later.
• 27% have taken on additional work or a second job.

The American Dream is Fading

• 85% feel that home ownership and a comfortable retirement are not realistic goals.
• 69% agree with the sentiment that “even people who work hard struggle to get ahead.”
• 31% say that buying a home and raising a family are mostly out of reach.

Most Americans Lack Savings to Handle an Emergency Expense

• 52% are unable to cover a sudden $500 expense through savings or a credit card.

What Voters Want: Housing and Cost-of-Living Relief Tops the List Ahead of Midterms

• Housing and utility interventions dominate among a set of possible policy solutions for improving households’ overall financial security:
  • 82% say property tax relief would be helpful.
  • 81% support utility bill assistance.
  • 78% say first-time homebuyer support.
  • 76% say limits on rent increases.
• Minimum wage increases are supported by 68% and student debt relief by 64%.

“When 9 in 10 people report living with daily financial discomfort, it’s no longer just an ‘economic indicator’—it’s a national crisis of stability. Americans aren’t just frustrated; they are exhausted. They are looking for leaders who will stop treating these costs as abstract numbers and start treating them as the emergency they are,” said Beatriz Lopez, Executive Director of Voto Latino. “From housing to the pump, the pressure is relentless, and the demand for real, immediate relief has never been clearer. Americans are paying close attention to who is delivering that relief—and they will not forget it in November.”

“What this data highlights is how Americans are understanding and experiencing their financial realities,” said Sarah Stamper, Murmuration’s Chief Research Officer. “As families nationwide navigate rising costs and financial uncertainty, they are increasingly attuned to how larger forces shape their ability to meet their financial needs on a day-to-day basis—often making drastic changes to afford basic necessities. That awareness is shaping their expectations for effective leadership and solutions.”

View the full survey findings in detail here.

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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered over two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.

Murmuration is a nonprofit working to transform America into a nation where everyone can thrive. We organize a network of community-focused partners and equip them with the insights, tools, and services they need to help communities build and activate power more effectively.