Most Americans say they don’t have enough income to lead the kind of life they want
% saying they currently ___ to lead the kind of life they want
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Shares of respondents who didn’t offer an answer are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings. “Some college” includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree.
Note: Shares of respondents who didn’t offer an answer are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings. “Some college” includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 20-Aug. 9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Most Americans say they don’t have enough income to lead the kind of life they want
% saying they currently ___ to lead the kind of life they want
| Do not have enough income | Have enough income | Grouping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All adults | 60 | 39 | All |
| Men | 56 | 43 | Gender |
| Women | 63 | 36 | Gender |
| Ages 18-29 | 73 | 25 | Age |
| 30-49 | 67 | 32 | Age |
| 50-64 | 58 | 41 | Age |
| 65+ | 40 | 58 | Age |
| White | 52 | 46 | Race |
| Hispanic | 73 | 26 | Race |
| Black | 82 | 17 | Race |
| Asian* | 52 | 46 | Race |
| Lower income | 82 | 17 | Income |
| Middle income | 59 | 40 | Income |
| Upper income | 26 | 72 | Income |
| High school or less | 70 | 28 | Education |
| Some college | 64 | 35 | Education |
| Bachelor’s+ | 45 | 53 | Education |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 52 | 46 | Party |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 64 | 35 | Party |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Shares of respondents who didn’t offer an answer are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings. “Some college” includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree.
Note: Shares of respondents who didn’t offer an answer are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings. “Some college” includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 20-Aug. 9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
