9 in 10 Americans say there’s a cost of living crisis

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.​​

NINE IN TEN AMERICANS SAY WE’RE IN A COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS. THAT’S ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY OF 5,000 AMERICANS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES, COMMISSIONED BY CURRENT.

EIGHTY-SEVEN PERCENT SAY THE COUNTRY IS IN AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, AND THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. MORE THAN HALF SAY THEY’RE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING BILLS ON TIME, AND HALF CAN’T ALWAYS AFFORD GROCERIES.

NEARLY EIGHT IN TEN SAY EVERYTHING GOT MORE EXPENSIVE IN 2025, AND ALMOST HALF THINK 2026 WILL BE EVEN WORSE.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, ALSO FOUND 38 PERCENT HAVE MOVED BECAUSE IT GOT TOO EXPENSIVE, WITH GEN Z LEADING THE WAY.

AND FOR MANY, TAX REFUNDS ARE NOW A LIFELINE. 

SEVENTY-THREE PERCENT SAY THEY NEED THAT MONEY MORE THAN EVER, MOSTLY FOR NECESSITIES, SAVINGS, AND PAYING DOWN DEBT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU FEELING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRUNCH? HOW ARE YOU MAKING IT WORK? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans state by state (100 in each state) who plan to file taxes, split evenly by generation (1,250 Gen Z, 1,250 millennials, 1,250 Gen X, 1,250 baby boomers), who have access to the internet. The survey was commissioned by Current and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Dec. 17, 2025 and Jan. 5, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.