Cost of living: Why prices are rising, and how we’re coping : NPR

Cost of living: Why prices are rising, and how we’re coping Examining what’s driving price increases and how people are coping.

A collage with photos of someone filling up their car with gas, a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in Disney World and a suitcase next to a hotel bed.

Rising costs are causing a lot of Americans to think twice before booking a vacation.

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

Rising costs are changing the way Americans travel

Three photos are arranged against the backdrop of a grid. On the left is a photo of Tammy Kremer (left side of the frame) and Hayley Currier, two friends who are hugging each other while standing outdoors. A top right is a photo of many cardboard boxes stacked and scattered inside a home that looks like it's being moved into. At bottom right is a black-and-white photo of a house with a "For Sale" sign in front of it.

Tammy Kremer (left) and Hayley Currier are friends who bought a home together. With housing prices on the rise, some people are purchasing homes with people other than romantic partners.

Via Hayley Currier and Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Via Hayley Currier and Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

Housing prices are causing some people to have smaller families than planned

Housing prices have increased 56% since February 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

Housing prices are causing some people to have smaller families than they planned

A collage of photos showing eggs and vegetables on store shelves along with empty grocery carts.

Food prices rose 3.2% in the last 12 months, outpacing overall inflation. Fifty-three percent of the people surveyed by The Associated Press and NORC this summer said rising grocery prices are a significant source of stress.

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

How rising grocery prices are impacting household budgets and political opinions

Beef prices have increased over 50% since 2020, causing restaurants and stores to raise their prices.

Beef prices have increased over 50% since 2020, causing restaurants and stores to raise their prices.

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

Beef prices are higher than ever and shoppers are starting to resist

An employee counts US dollar currency as a customer pays cash. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

NPR wants to hear what’s costing you more lately and how that’s influencing your decisions.

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Studio photograph showing a blue paper umbrella propped up in a mound of coins on sand in front of a pink and orange gradient backdrop

You can see the world and save money — it just takes a little savvy planning.

Photograph by Tsering Bista and Beck Harlan

hide caption

toggle caption

Photograph by Tsering Bista and Beck Harlan

How to travel on a budget

Load more stories