NPR/PBS/Marist poll finds 40 percent of Americans report worsening personal finances

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll has found that 40 percent of Americans say their personal family finances have declined over the last 12 months, while 16 percent reported that their finances had improved. Forty-one percent said their personal family finances had stayed about the same over the prior year. Less than 1 percent of respondents were unsure about the state of their finances, and 3 percent did not answer.

The poll was conducted two weeks before Election Day, with the rising cost of living a major concern in this election cycle, according to The Hill. Democrats have campaigned on targeting the Trump administration's tariffs and the war in Iran, which they identify as two factors behind U.S. price hikes. Amid the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry, has been closed. The average price of a regular gallon of gas in the U.S. has risen from about $3.05 last year to about $4.27 as of Tuesday afternoon. The average price of a gallon of diesel has also risen over the last year, standing at about $6.35 as of Tuesday afternoon compared with $3.66 a gallon in 2025.

In the same poll, 52 percent of respondents said they would cast their ballot for a Democrat for their congressional district if the election were held that day, while 42 percent said they would vote Republican.

According to Mehr News, which cited The Hill, the survey highlights economic concerns ahead of the election.