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Nearly Half of Americans Struggle With Basic Costs, Pew Finds

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 11:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Pew Research Center reports nearly half of Americans struggle to pay basic needs.
Nearly three-quarters of lower-income adults face cost pressures, compared with 13 % of upper-income adults.
About half cannot pay monthly bills and 77 % lack three months of emergency savings.
Black, Hispanic, women and non-college graduates report financial challenges at higher rates.
A quarter now say the system needs complete rebuilding, up from 14 % in 2019.

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Story summary

Pew Research Center reports nearly half of Americans struggle to pay basic needs.
Nearly three-quarters of lower-income adults face cost pressures, compared with 13 % of upper-income adults.
About half cannot pay monthly bills and 77 % lack three months of emergency savings.
Black, Hispanic, women and non-college graduates report financial challenges at higher rates.
A quarter now say the system needs complete rebuilding, up from 14 % in 2019.