New polling from Fox News, Quinnipiac, and others shows a common thread: voters tell pollsters affordability is the top issue heading into the 2026 elections.
But which part of the higher cost is the biggest concern among Americans?
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), healthcare costs. Their recent data indicate that 66% report worrying about their ability to afford health care for themselves and their families. Healthcare costs ranked higher than food, groceries, utilities, housing, and gas.
55% of respondents reported to KFF that their health care costs have increased over the past year.
However, affordability costs extend beyond healthcare; voters are also concerned about prices elsewhere.
While the January inflation rate fell from 2.7% to 2.4%, prices rose for food, appliances, and furniture.
“Some of the inflation numbers show the products with price increase came from higher tariffs, and that plays into the affordability issue,” said Economist Peter Earle with the American Institute for Economic Research.
Earle says a higher cost for American consumers could be coming. The Wall Street Journal reported that clothing companies like Levi Strauss, McCormick, and Columbia Sportswear have noted they will be forced to raise prices on consumers this year because of higher tariffs.
Clothing companies like Levi Strauss, McCormick, and Columbia Sportswear have said they will be forced to raise prices for consumers this year due to higher tariffs.
“The Adobe Digital Price Index found that online prices posted their largest monthly increase in a dozen years in January, driven by higher prices for electronics, computers, appliances, furniture, and bedding,” the Journal reported.
Due to higher tariffs, Stanley Black & Decker raised its prices in 2025 and reported that sales of lower-priced products even declined.
With consumers still seeing higher costs at food and clothing stores, the real worry is healthcare costs, according to KFF.
Politically, KFF says the healthcare issue will affect voter turnout in the November elections.
