Middle-income Americans struggling to keep up as living costs weigh on paychecks, survey says

[mystery-ak]

Published January 29, 2026 5:49pm EST

Middle-income Americans struggling to keep up as living costs weigh on paychecks, survey says
Survey shows 68% say their income is falling behind rising expenses, with 49% focused solely on keeping up with costs

By Eric Revell FOXBusiness

Middle-income Americans are continuing to feel financial strain and say their income is being outpaced by the rising cost of living, according to a new analysis by Primerica.

The financial services firm released the latest edition of the Primerica U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor quarterly survey on Thursday, which showed that 68% of middle-income Americans said their income is falling behind the cost of living – a figure that has remained steady in the last two years.

The analysis found that 49% of middle-income American families said their primary financial goal for the year ahead was to simply keep up with rising costs, signaling that they're not anticipating any near-term relief.

Primerica CEO Glenn J. Williams told FOX Business in an interview that, "As you might expect after a number of years of this pressure, the attitudes of middle-income families have kind of leveled out – they're not getting worse, but they certainly haven't turned and aren't getting significantly better yet."

"Many of them are in a deficit position, they've either used savings or credit cards to fill the gap," Williams added, noting that even when cost of living pressures start to ease and with wages overtaking price increases, they won't feel the benefit right away due to credit card debt or the need to rebuild savings.

Finding enough money leftover in the budget to save not only for big-ticket purchases like homes or cars, but also for accumulating an emergency savings fund that can be tapped during unexpected circumstances.

more
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/middle-income-americans-struggling-keep-up-living-costs-weigh-paychecks-survey-says

[ironhorsedriver]

I will vouch for that, primarily utilities. Mine have tripled in 3 years. With this ice storm I am burning propane like crazy. Groceries are up also. It's not breaking the bank, yet, but it's really hard on fixed income folks. I honestly don't know someone survives on Social Security alone.

[libertybele]

Yeppers that SS COLA adjustment which gives one an additional $50/mo or so is a lifesaver.   

[libertybele]

I will vouch for that, primarily utilities. Mine have tripled in 3 years. With this ice storm I am burning propane like crazy. Groceries are up also. It's not breaking the bank, yet, but it's really hard on fixed income folks. I honestly don't know someone survives on Social Security alone.

Living on SS alone would be very difficult, though SS was always intended to be supplemental income.  That's not the case for millions who are collecting benefits.

[corbe]

   I think Trump is stupid to popo the 'affordability crisis' as he nears the midterms.
   I go to the grocery store every week and it's higher and higher.  Sure, gas is low, but they're raising the cost on everything else. 


   Granted not as high as when bidet (and fed powell) was in charge of the economy and I know it takes time between Administrations, but dam. 

   I expect results in 2026!