9 in 10 Americans Believe U.S. in 'Cost-of-Living Crisis'

Survey finds rising prices have made it harder for half of Americans to pay bills and afford necessities

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A survey of 5,000 Americans found that 87% believe the U.S. is in an affordability 'crisis' due to the high cost of living. Half of respondents are struggling to pay bills and afford essentials like groceries, and 78% said everything became more expensive in 2025. Many Americans, especially younger generations, have had to move to lower their cost of living, and about half don't believe they'll ever be able to live in their 'ideal' city or state.

Why it matters

The widespread belief that the U.S. is in a cost-of-living crisis reflects the real financial strain many Americans are facing due to elevated prices for everyday necessities. This is impacting where people can afford to live and forcing difficult decisions around budgeting and spending, with tax refunds becoming an increasingly important source of financial relief.

The details

The survey, commissioned by Current and conducted by Talker Research, found that 52% of Americans are struggling to pay their bills on time each month and 50% are having trouble affording groceries. As a result, 38% of respondents have moved to a different city or state to lower their cost of living, with younger generations more likely to have done so. About half of respondents don't believe they'll ever be able to live in their 'ideal' city (52%) or state (48%).

  • The survey was conducted between December 17, 2025 and January 5, 2026.

The players

Erin Bruehl

VP of Communications at Current.

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What they’re saying

“With the prices of everyday essentials still elevated and costs of living climbing, Americans are feeling a real affordability crisis. When half of Americans say they are struggling just to keep up with monthly bills and expect costs to keep rising, they need financial solutions more than ever that can help them make the most of every dollar and provide access to much-needed liquidity.”

— Erin Bruehl, VP of Communications (Current)

What’s next

The survey results highlight the ongoing financial pressures facing many Americans, which could lead to increased political and public pressure for policy solutions to address the cost-of-living crisis.

The takeaway

The widespread belief that the U.S. is in an affordability crisis, with half of Americans struggling to pay bills and afford necessities, underscores the real financial strain many are facing due to high inflation. This is driving major life changes like relocating to lower costs and heightening the importance of tax refunds as a source of financial relief.