Affordability Crisis: 'Everything is going up' Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump's claims
Food prices were 2.9% higher in January compared to the year before and are predicted to increase by 3.1% over the next year. Data shows that the food insecurity rate spiked to 16% in November, up from 12.7% in January 2025.
Utility prices in the US also increased by more than 6% in January 2026 compared to a year prior.
More Americans are taking on debt because of the rising cost of necessities. Total household debt in the fourth quarter of 2025 reached $18.8tn, up by 4% since the beginning of the year. Delinquency for all types of debt rose 3.26% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 1.7% in the same period of 2024. Credit card debt in the US by the end of 2025 hit a record $1.28tn.
Meanwhile, wages have stagnated for many workers. The 10% lowest wage earners, receiving on average $14.56 an hour, saw their wages decline by 0.3% when adjusted for inflation in 2025. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour has remained unchanged since 2009 – the longest period without an increase since the federal minimum wage was enacted.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/14/americans-struggle-affordability-despite-trump-claims