6 in 10 Say Prices Will Decide Their Vote — Which Expenses Are Impacting Americans the Most?
As Americans prepare to vote in the 2026 midterm elections, one issue has emerged as the clear common denominator across the country: Affordability. While candidates are debating everything from healthcare to immigration, polling suggests the voters themselves are focused on the much more immediate question of whether or not they can afford their everyday lives.
Per the Associated Press, about 6 out of 10 registered voters identified the economy (or high prices) as the most important factor influencing their vote, making affordability the dominant issue heading into November. This focus reflects a reality that many American households continue to experience.
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Inflation has cooled considerably from its post-pandemic peak, but the cost of essential expenses — from housing and groceries to insurance and utilities — remain well above where they were just a few years ago. Recognizing how central these costs have become, the Financial Times recently launched an Affordability Tracker to monitor the everyday expenses that could shape voter sentiment throughout the election season.
So, where are Americans feeling the biggest financial squeeze? The answers are below.
Housing Takes the Biggest Bite
For most, housing remains the single largest monthly expense. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed shelter costs rising another 3.2% over the past year, continuing a trend that has made buying or renting a home more difficult despite moderated inflation rates. Since housing typically represents the largest share of household budgets, even relatively modest increases can really strain finances.
Groceries Are Still a Daily Reminder of High Prices
Food prices aren’t rising as quickly as they did during peak inflation, but they are still climbing. Overall food prices are up 3.0% year over year, while restaurant meals increased 3.4%. Some grocery categories continue to fluctuate based on supply conditions, with consumers increasingly swapping more expensive foods for cheaper alternatives to stretch their budgets, per the Financial Times.
Utilities and Fuel Volatility Are a Concern
Energy costs remain one of the most volatile parts of household spending. Though gasoline prices declined month over month in July, they’re still 24.6% higher than a year earlier, while electricity prices have climbed 4.2% annually. The Financial Times noted that energy costs can ripple through the economy by increasing transportation and production expenses, which can eventually raise prices from groceries to consumer goods.
Insurance and Childcare Quietly Pressure Budgets
Unlike gasoline prices, insurance premiums and childcare costs rarely dominate headlines, but they often create persistent financial pressure. While the July CPI showed that motor vehicle insurance was easing slightly from recent highs, many families are still paying substantially more than they were just a few years ago. Childcare costs also remain elevated nationwide, consuming a significant share of income for working parents despite varying by region.
The Bottom Line
For many voters, affordability isn’t about one expensive purchase; rather, it’s about the steady accumulation of everyday costs that make each paycheck feel tighter. That’s why housing, groceries, utilities, insurance and childcare have become central to the 2026 election conversation.
Regardless of which issues dominate campaign speeches, the price of everyday life may ultimately be the metric many Americans use to judge the economy — and who they vote for when heading to the polls.
Editor’s note on political coverage: MoneyLion is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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