Ninety-five percent of Americans believe the United States is experiencing an affordability crisis, with many reporting difficulty affording groceries and gas, according to an exclusive new poll conducted by the Harris Poll for the Guardian. The survey paints a grim portrait of public sentiment as the war in Iran continues and the midterm elections approach.
Growing economic pessimism across party lines
Despite stable employment and record-high stock markets, 57% of Americans now believe the economy is worsening, up from 46% in February before the Middle East conflict drove up gas prices. Only 16% think the economy is improving, a sharp drop from 28% in February. More respondents also reported a decline in their financial security.
The affordability crisis transcends party affiliations: roughly half of Democrats, Republicans, and independents say they struggle to afford everyday necessities like gas and groceries. Two-thirds of Americans, including 49% of Republicans, expressed little faith that the federal government will alleviate the cost-of-living crisis.
Republican base feels the strain
Republicans, who were previously more optimistic about the economy under President Donald Trump, have grown significantly more pessimistic. In February, 49% of Republicans said the economy was improving; now only 27% agree. Meanwhile, 38% of Republicans say the economy is worsening, up from 22% in February.
Rural Americans, a key Republican constituency, also feel the pinch: 64% say the economy is deteriorating, compared with 46% in February. Rural respondents were the most likely to report that good job opportunities have vanished over the past year and that tariffs have negatively affected American manufacturing jobs.
Political implications for the midterms
Cratering economic sentiment could pose problems for the Republican Party as it seeks to maintain its narrow majority in Congress during the upcoming midterm elections. Trump has offered conflicting responses to the affordability crisis, at times denying its existence while also pressuring oil companies to lower prices. Although Brent crude oil prices have fallen sharply since the US and Iran signed a peace deal in June, US gas prices have been slow to return to prewar levels.
After dismissing high gas prices, Trump and his treasury secretary demanded that oil and gas companies reduce prices ahead of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Trump also recently derailed a bipartisan housing bill aimed at addressing the affordable housing shortage, calling it of “minor importance” compared with other priorities, including unproven claims of voter fraud.
Democrats also face challenges
The poll reveals warning signs for Democrats as well. Among independent voters who believe there is an affordability crisis, 54% say neither party has a solution. This underscores the difficulty Democrats face in convincing swing voters that they can resolve the issue.
The survey also highlights a disconnect between local job opportunities and national labor market data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday that the labor market remains relatively strong, with an average of 111,000 new jobs added over the past three months. However, rising inflation fueled by the war has erased wage gains: the annual inflation rate rose to 4.2% in May, while average hourly earnings fell 0.7% year-over-year.
For Americans with debt, rising everyday costs compound the problem. About half of those polled said they struggle to afford their debt, including student loan debt, which now faces stricter repayment plans under the Trump administration.
The Harris Poll survey was conducted online from 28 May to 6 June 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 4,100 US adults.
