In the NPR/PBS poll, 40 percent of respondents said their personal family finances had worsened over the past 12 months, while 16 percent reported an improvement.
Forty-one percent of respondents said their family’s finances had remained “about the same” over the previous year. Fewer than 1 percent were unsure about their financial situation, while 3 percent did not respond.
The NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll was conducted two weeks before Election Day, as rising living costs emerged as a key concern for voters, The Hill reported.
Democrats have campaigned on challenging Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran, citing both as contributors to rising prices in the United States. The conflict has also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the global oil industry.
The average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to about $4.27 as of Tuesday afternoon, up from roughly $3.05 a year earlier. Diesel prices also climbed, reaching approximately $6.35 per gallon, compared with $3.66 in 2025.
In the NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, 52% of respondents said they would vote for a Democratic candidate in their congressional district if the election were held that day, compared with 42% who said they would choose a Republican.
