Americans are grappling with affordability challenges that are pinching their pockets in both everyday necessities and major expenses alike.
According to a recent POLITICO Poll conducted by Public First, nearly half of Americans are finding it tough to afford essential items such as groceries, utility bills, health care, housing, and transportation. The survey reveals a sobering reality: over a quarter (27 percent) of respondents admitted to skipping a medical check-up due to cost concerns in the past two years, while 23 percent have foregone a prescription for the same reason.
The financial strain is also altering how Americans spend their leisure time. More than a third (37 percent) indicated they couldn’t afford to attend a professional sports event with family or friends, and nearly half (46 percent) reported they were unable to pay for a vacation that includes air travel.
Although President Donald Trump graded his economic performance an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” during an exclusive interview with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns, the poll results highlight a stark reality: voter anxieties about finances are intricately linked to their political views, influencing how they assess the White House’s handling of rising costs.
Trump contends that “prices are all coming down,” as he told Burns, but the poll results present a formidable challenge for him and the Republican Party as they approach the 2026 midterms, with even some of Trump’s own supporters showing signs of frustration with high prices.
POLITICO reporters have been sifting through these poll findings, and we asked a few to analyze the data to spotlight the most compelling insights. Here’s what they discovered:
TARIFFS
The big observation: Trump has found it difficult to convince parts of his base that tariffs are a long-term economic boon. Only 36 percent of Trump voters believe that tariffs currently hurt the economy but will ultimately benefit the U.S.
Even fewer (22 percent) think that the tariff strategy is already yielding positive results for the economy, according to the November poll.
What really stood out: Strong supporters of the president are approximately twice as likely as other Republicans to view tariffs as beneficial in the short term. However, a significant portion of both groups still consider them detrimental. Interestingly, among MAGA voters, there’s a split: 27 percent believe tariffs are positively impacting the economy now and in the future, while 21 percent see them as harmful both now and later.
What now? For Trump, tariffs are more than an economic strategy; he argues they have facilitated global peace negotiations and encouraged companies to invest domestically. However, as the Supreme Court prepares to assess some of these tariff policies, it becomes a delicate issue when many voters are more concerned about their daily expenses than the broader economic landscape.
– Ari Hawkins
COLLEGE COSTS
The big observation: The cost of college education is perceived as exorbitant. Only 25 percent of Americans deem higher education a worthy investment, with 62 percent stating that college is either too costly or offers insufficient benefits — a sentiment echoed particularly among 18- to 24-year-olds and those aged 65 and older.
Over the last two decades, the income gap between individuals with college degrees and those without has widened significantly. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, last year, households led by someone with a bachelor’s degree or higher had a median income that was more than double that of those whose highest education was a high school diploma.
What really stood out: Despite the evident economic disparity, over half of surveyed college graduates believe that higher education is either too pricey or not beneficial enough.
What now? Both former President Joe Biden and Trump have attempted to address these frustrations by advocating for enhanced technical education programs and federal support for professional degrees as alternatives to traditional four-year universities. The Trump administration has pressured universities to curb their costs — tying this to their access to federal funds — while also rolling back Biden’s student loan forgiveness initiatives.
– Juan Perez Jr.
FOOD PRICES
The big observation: Trump has previously claimed that his 2024 electoral success hinged on his promise to lower everyday prices, particularly for staples like eggs. Yet today, Americans express greater concern about affording groceries than they do about rising housing or health care costs, according to the POLITICO Poll.
Half of those surveyed reported difficulty in affording food, and a majority (55 percent) attribute high prices to the Trump administration, despite the White House’s claims of prioritizing affordability and economic stability ahead of the midterms.
What really stood out: As affordability emerges as a political hot button, with Democrats eager to exploit Republican weaknesses, a notable 22 percent of Trump’s own supporters also hold him accountable for soaring grocery prices.
What now? Balancing these concerns with a president who has imposed tariffs on globally sourced goods presents a significant challenge for Trump’s administration — one that Democrats are likely to exploit as the midterms approach.
– Rachel Shin
HOUSING
The big observation: Concerns surrounding housing affordability have surpassed those related to health care, utilities, commuting, and child care, as indicated by the POLITICO Poll. Only grocery prices ranked higher when respondents identified their most challenging expenses.
Current housing metrics reveal that the median age of first-time homebuyers has reached an all-time high of 40 years, according to the National Association of Realtors.
What really stood out: The poll shows that young and Hispanic adults — demographics that previously helped Republicans regain control of Washington — are particularly concerned about homebuying and rental costs. Interestingly, while only 10 percent of MAGA Republicans blame the Trump administration for their housing woes (with 52 percent pointing fingers at the Biden administration), this blame is three times more likely among non-MAGA Republicans.
What now? Respondents attribute high housing costs to a mix of policies from both the Trump and Biden administrations, state and local governments, and private landlords. As Republicans gear up for the midterms, they face pressure to address these affordability issues, even as the president dismisses concerns as a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats.
– Cassandra Dumay
HEALTH CARE COSTS
The big observation: Nearly half of American adults find health care costs difficult to manage, making it the third most pressing concern among poll respondents.
Democrats are pushing to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits instituted during the pandemic, which are set to expire at the year’s end. If these credits vanish, many Americans purchasing insurance through the Obamacare marketplace could face skyrocketing costs. With a lack of a cohesive campaign message since Trump’s victory, Democrats are banking on health care affordability being a pivotal issue in the upcoming midterms.
What really stood out: A notable divide exists between MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans. While 84 percent of MAGA Republicans trust the GOP to lower health care costs for everyday Americans — with only 7 percent trusting Democrats more — only 49 percent of non-MAGA Republicans share that confidence. Additionally, nearly a quarter (24 percent) of non-MAGA respondents lean toward trusting Democrats on this issue.
What now? While overall poll respondents expressed a greater inclination to trust Democrats with health care costs, the split may not be alarming for Republicans facing reelection: 42 percent favored Democrats on this issue compared to 33 percent favoring Republicans. The pressing question remains whether non-MAGA Republicans can be swayed to switch allegiances or if undecided voters can be attracted.
– Sophie Gardner
