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.

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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!

[berdie]

I went to the grocery store today. I hadn't been since before the ice storm. I'll swear the prices doubled!! Maybe due to delivery charges during the storm. I'll be interested to see if they come back down.

[Smokin Joe]

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.

I can. Much goes on hold that I'd like to do, but I can.

But I had a few very good years along the way.

One thing about the oil patch, it teaches you to deal with boom and the inevitable 'bust' that follows. You can go from $0 to six figures with a phone call, but just as abruptly, it can go the other way. You learn to hedge your bets, pay stuff off in full and not make the next move until you can afford to pay cash. My bills consume half of my social security, and now that I have more time on my hands, I can pare that down even more.
But I drive older vehicles I can fix and carry liability, not full coverage. The house is nothing fancy but it's paid off. I do most of my own stuff with respect to home repairs and maintenance. Time is money, and I have time.
I seldom go out to eat, but cook my own.
If I need to buy something, i take the time to research it and find the best buy for the money. (It will go on sale a week after I buy it... )
Thankfully, I am still fairly healthy, and hopefully have more work coming up to sweeten the pot.

[Wingnut]

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

You can always go and get a job bagging groceries at Publics if you are so distraught. 

[Wingnut]

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.

Well, stupid people make stupid choices.  Why is that my problem? 

[catfish1957]

After 4 years of the Biden disaster, fixing this thing is like steering a battle ship.  It will take a few years.

And my major gripe.....  Trump has done a terrible job of overselling the improvements thus far.  We are heading in the right direction, but am afraid  that the voting population will not be patient enough to reap the benefits.

[GrouchoTex]

My Home owners Insurance tops the list, followed by groceries, followed by utilities.

[berdie]

My Home owners Insurance tops the list, followed by groceries, followed by utilities.

Same here. All insurance is stupid expensive, but especially home owners. I'm gonna have to stop buying beef. I'll wait to pass judgement on utilities until this summer. But propane is like gold right now.