How Price Increases Are Hitting Americans

75.3% of Americans say prices have increased — and the stress is real.

✨ Key Insight

75.3% of Americans say prices increased over the past year, and 27.5% are 'very stressed' about it. But the impact isn't equal: low-income households spend a larger share of income on essentials, making every price increase hit harder.

75.3%

Say Prices Increased

27.5%

Very Stressed by Prices

47.4%

Very Concerned About Future

Price Change Perception

Prices increased75.3%

Prices stayed same16.5%

Prices decreased2.9%

Don't know5.3%

Price Stress Levels

Among those who perceived price increases

Very stressful27.5%

Moderately stressful31.4%

A little stressful33%

Not at all stressful8.1%

Concern About Future Prices

Very concerned47.4%

Somewhat concerned28.3%

A little concerned18.3%

Not at all concerned6%

Who's Most Stressed? Income Breakdown

"Very stressful" rate by household income

Under $25K43.7%

$25K-$35K40.6%

$35K-$50K34%

$50K-$75K29.6%

$75K-$100K22.6%

$100K-$150K16.3%

$150K+11.9%

Price Concern by Income

"Very concerned" about future prices by household income

Under $25K59.5%

$25K-$35K58%

$35K-$50K49.1%

$50K-$75K48.3%

$75K-$100K47.3%

$100K-$150K43.2%

$150K+35.4%

Spending & Expenses →

How Americans handle their household budgets

Food Security →

7% of Americans are food insecure

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau HTOPS, March 2026.