More than 4 in 10 Americans had trouble affording a basic necessity in the past year
% saying they had trouble affording at least one of four basic necessities in the past year
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Figures include those who say at least one of the following happened to them in the past year: had trouble paying for medical care, had problems paying for daily transportation costs, had problems paying their rent or mortgage, got food from a food bank or food pantry. 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: Figures include those who say at least one of the following happened to them in the past year: had trouble paying for medical care, had problems paying for daily transportation costs, had problems paying their rent or mortgage, got food from a food bank or food pantry. 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
More than 4 in 10 Americans had trouble affording a basic necessity in the past year
% saying they had trouble affording at least one of four basic necessities in the past year
| % | Grouping | |
|---|---|---|
| All adults | 44 | All |
| Men | 40 | Gender |
| Women | 47 | Gender |
| Ages 18-29 | 60 | Age |
| 30-49 | 50 | Age |
| 50-64 | 39 | Age |
| 65+ | 26 | Age |
| White | 36 | Race |
| Hispanic | 60 | Race |
| Black | 65 | Race |
| Asian* | 27 | Race |
| Lower income | 71 | Income |
| Middle income | 39 | Income |
| Upper income | 13 | Income |
| High school or less | 59 | Education |
| Some college | 47 | Education |
| Bachelor’s+ | 26 | Education |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 38 | Party |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 48 | Party |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Figures include those who say at least one of the following happened to them in the past year: had trouble paying for medical care, had problems paying for daily transportation costs, had problems paying their rent or mortgage, got food from a food bank or food pantry. 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: Figures include those who say at least one of the following happened to them in the past year: had trouble paying for medical care, had problems paying for daily transportation costs, had problems paying their rent or mortgage, got food from a food bank or food pantry. 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
