Cost of Living Polling 2026: Voter Economic Anxiety
Economic concerns — particularly inflation, grocery prices, and housing costs — remain top issues for American voters heading into the 2026 midterms. While overall inflation has moderated from 2022 peaks, cumulative price increases have left many voters feeling economically stressed.
Economic Issue Rankings 2026
| Economic Issue | % Cite as Top Concern | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery / food prices | 48% | +5 |
| Housing costs / rent | 38% | +8 |
| Healthcare costs | 36% | +3 |
| Tariff-driven price increases | 29% | New |
| Job security | 22% | +4 |
| Gas / energy prices | 18% | -6 |
Consumer Confidence 2026
| Month | Consumer Confidence Index | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 105.3 | — |
| Apr 2025 | 98.4 | -6.9 |
| Jul 2025 | 97.1 | -1.3 |
| Jan 2026 | 94.2 | -2.9 |
| May 2026 | 91.8 | -2.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are voters’ top economic concerns in 2026?
As of mid-2026, voters’ top economic concerns are grocery/food prices (48%), housing costs/rent (38%), and healthcare costs (36%). Tariff-driven price increases are a growing concern cited by 29% of voters. Consumer confidence has declined steadily from early 2025 levels.
Does economic anxiety help Democrats or Republicans in 2026?
Economic anxiety generally hurts the party in power (Republicans) in midterm elections. While Republicans can point to some economic positives, the cumulative price increases since 2021 and tariff-driven uncertainty have kept voter economic pessimism elevated. Democrats are using cost-of-living concerns as their central economic message.