A new car, home feel out of reach for middle-class Americans, poll finds

Most renters — including those earning six figures — doubt they could afford a home in the foreseeable future.

Health care, new cars and new homes feel unaffordable to most Americans, a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll shows.

Most Americans say that they can afford basic necessities like their current housing costs, groceries, utilities and gasoline. But large numbers across income levels also say larger expenses and the cost of things associated with an enjoyable life — including taking a weeklong vacation — are out of reach. Overall, 53 percent of adults say they have just enough money to maintain their standard of living, nearly identical to a year ago, while roughly half, or more, say that discretionary spending on going out to dinner, vacations and new cars is unaffordable.

The findings, based on a survey of more than 2,500 Americans between Feb. 12 and 17, show why so many Americans — and politicians — cite affordability as a top concern, in spite of a booming stock market and solid consumer spending.

Inflation, which has fallen significantly below scorching post-pandemic levels, continues to weigh on households, putting some expenses that many Americans associate with a good standard of living firmly out of reach, even for higher earners. Although gas prices fell in 2025, housing, health care, food and new car prices were stubbornly high.

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