Around 86% of Americans describe grocery prices as a source of stress, based on findings from a poll with a ±3.6 percentage point margin conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Photo by Tara Clark, Unsplash.

News Release

NEW YORK — A large majority of U.S. adults report experiencing at least some stress over the cost of groceries, according to a new survey, as inflation and broader economic pressures continue to affect household budgets.

Roughly 53% of Americans describe grocery prices as a major source of stress, while 33% say it’s a minor concern, based on findings from a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Only 14% of respondents say the cost of groceries is not a stressor at all.

While housing, healthcare and personal finances remain significant financial concerns, groceries stand out as a nearly universal burden across demographics. Even older adults, who generally express less financial strain related to housing or debt, report comparable levels of concern over food costs.

78-year old Esther Bland, of Buckley, Wash., said that groceries are a minor source of stress, but only because local food pantries make up the difference. After decades of working in an office processing product orders, Bland said she relies on Social Security and disability payments to cover monthly expenses such as rent, gas and utilities.

Without food banks, Bland explained, she would have no savings to fall back on and groceries would become a “major” source of stress.

Low-income households are especially vulnerable. Among those earning under $30,000 annually, 64% say groceries are a major source of stress, compared with about 4 in 10 among households earning $100,000 or more.

Still, even among higher-income groups, few say grocery prices are not a concern. Only two in 10 Americans with a household income of $100,000 or more report not being worried about grocery costs.

The poll also highlights growing reliance on installment payment services. About 40% of Americans under age 45 report using “buy now, pay later” options, such as Afterpay or Klarna, for purchases ranging from entertainment and dining to essentials like groceries and medical expenses.

Overall, nearly three in 10 U.S. adults say they have used such services at least once. Use of these payment plans is more common among younger adults, Black and Hispanic Americans, and those with limited savings.

Adam Bush, 19, says he uses pay later services to afford things such as entertainment and groceries. The Portland, N.Y. youth, who makes under $50,000 a year as a welder for Toyota trucks, says rising grocery prices has caused him to seek the cheapest — and less nutritious — food options, such as TV dinners.

Though marketed as a flexible alternative to credit cards, these plans have raised concerns among consumer advocates about potential overuse and limited regulatory oversight.

Stress is also sharply divided among gender and ethnic lines. Women are more likely than men to report high levels of anxiety over income, savings, health care costs and grocery prices. Hispanic adults in particular express deep concern over housing costs and debt. About two-thirds of Hispanic respondents identify housing as a major source of stress, compared to around half of Black adults or four in 10 white adults.

Housing remains a key issue overall, with about half of Americans saying it causes major stress. Similar shares, about four in 10, express concern about their income, savings and the cost of healthcare. About two in 10 cite credit card debt, childcare and student loans as significant stressors.

Some Americans are adjusting their habits in response to economic pressures. Many report cutting back on spending or shifting to more affordable stores for food shopping. Others are turning to community resources like food banks or using payment plans to cover emergency expenses, such as veterinary care or housing.

The survey results underscore the enduring impact of inflation on household finances. For many, the rising cost of everyday essentials continues to take a toll.