We’re not in a cost-of-living crisis — yet

Affordability has emerged as a dominant concern for U.S. voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election for a new Congress. Recent polling points to pressure around routine household expenses rather than a single isolated financial issue.

Everyday bills drive voter anxiety

An AP-NORC poll conducted in mid-October found that 84% of voters counted the cost of living among their most important concerns. The result places household affordability at the heart of the political discussion as candidates compete for voters’ attention.

A September poll from KFF offered more detail on the sources of that concern. It found that 52% of voters were worried about being able to afford food, while 51% expressed concern about paying for utilities.

Business and political significance

The findings suggest that affordability is being felt through recurring purchases and essential services. Food and utility bills affect household budgets directly, making them especially visible issues for voters and a prominent part of the election conversation.

The polling has also contributed to increasingly urgent media descriptions of the economic pressure. Bloomberg has grouped related coverage under “US Cost-of-Living Crisis,” while CNBC has referred to an “affordability crisis.” The survey results document widespread concern, although the source does not establish a formal definition or measure of an economy-wide crisis.

What the polling shows

With the election approaching, cost-of-living concerns are clearly influencing how many Americans view the country’s economic conditions. Food, utilities and other ordinary bills remain central to that perception.