Cost of Living Remains Americans' Biggest Financial Worry, Gallup Finds

Gallup's April 2026 Economy and Personal Finance survey finds affordability remains Americans' top financial concern (31%), with energy costs rising to 13%—the highest since 2008—and tied with housing as the second-biggest worry. Overall, 55% say their finances are getting worse, while 46% rate their situation as good/excellent. Major worries include retirement (62%), medical costs (60%), and maintaining living standards (54%), with bills (41%) and college costs (40%) also prominent, as inflation continues to influence perceptions despite a long-run cooling trend.