A survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that rising costs of basic needs remain a major source of financial strain in the United States. The study highlights food, housing, and health care as the leading causes of stress for adults across different income levels, age groups, and racial demographics.
The poll identifies grocery costs as the leading stressor nationwide. 53 percent of adults report food expenses as a major source of stress, while 33 percent view them as minor stressors. Only 14 percent report no stress at all about grocery prices. Even higher-income households demonstrate considerable concern over food costs, reflecting widespread inflationary pressures.
Key Findings
• Grocery Costs as the Primary Stressor: 53 percent of adults say grocery expenses were a major source of stress, 33 percent report them as minor, and only 14 percent report no stress. This stress is cross‑income and cross‑age, with low‑income households most impacted, but even higher-income households experience notable concern.
• Housing Expenses Cause Significant Anxiety: About half identify housing expenses, including rent and mortgage, as major stressors. Stress about housing is most pronounced among Hispanic adults than Black adults and white adults. Note that housing stress aligns closely with concerns about income and savings.
• Health Care Costs Rank Among Top Concerns: 4 in 10 Americans cite health care costs as a major source of stress. The concern spans all age groups and income levels but is particularly strong among women and minority communities. Health care costs remain just behind groceries and housing in terms of their stress impact.
• Broader Strain From Income and Savings: About 43 percent of the respondents identify income or savings as significant stress points. Financial stress is not limited to poor or low-income households. Even moderate-income individuals and households report anxiety about their savings and overall financial security.
• Demographic Disparities in Financial Stress: Women tend to experience stress about income, groceries, savings, and health care. Hispanics face greater stress over housing, credit card debt, and student loans compared to Black and white adults. Younger adults are also disproportionately stressed about multiple financial obligations.
• Use of Buy Now, Pay Later or BNPL Services: 29 percent of adults have used BNPL services for groceries, health care, entertainment, or takeout. BNPL use is higher among those under 45. For medical or dental expenses, 21 percent of highly stressed adults used BNPL, compared to only 8 percent among those with little or no stress.
The poll also finds that stress is widespread, with 75 percent of surveyed adults citing at least one essential expense—food, housing, health care, income, or savings—as a major stress factor. This highlights how financial strain has become central to public sentiment despite improving macroeconomic indicators in some sectors.
Note that the poll was conducted between 10 and 14 July 2025. It used a probability-based panel to represent U.S. households. 1437 adults participated. Interviews were completed in English and Spanish, both online and by telephone. The poll carried a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.