Inflation Narrows the Wallet: Median Weekly Pay Drops to $850 After Deductions
The article shows that the median weekly paycheck was $1,235 in early 2026, but take-home pay after federal/state taxes, health premiums, and a 401(k) contribution is about $850 per week. Real wages fell 0.71% over the year while CPI rose 4.25%, meaning inflation eroded nominal gains. Per-capita disposable income reached $68,359 in Q1 2026, yet households saved only 3.7% of disposable income as expenditures rose, with wide geographic differences in real purchasing power across states.