Learn more about Pew Research Center.<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n How did we do this?<\/p>\n We surveyed 5,062 U.S. adults from September 28 to October 4, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population. <\/p>\n Here are the survey questions<\/a> used for this analysis, the detailed responses<\/a> and the survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n A month out from this year\u2019s congressional elections, the costs of many household essentials are a top economic concern for most Americans \u2013 much as they were four years ago on the eve of the last midterm election.<\/p>\n Public concern about the price of gas and energy, other essentials rises<\/p>\n % who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Note: The items about the price of food and consumer goods and the price of gasoline and energy were not asked in July 2022.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on X<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on Facebook<\/p>\n Public concern about the price of gas and energy, other essentials rises<\/p>\n % who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today<\/p>\n DatePrice of food and consumer goodsHow the stock market is doingCost of housingPeople who want to work being unable to find jobsPrice of gasoline and energy2022-07-04\u2014316027\u20142022-10-1673326029692023-01-2475266030602023-04-0272246127\u20142024-01-2172186431512024-09-0274246940\u20142025-04-1367366141462025-09-2865196142452026-01-2666206245432026-07-1266186444602026-10-047321664874<\/p>\n Note: The items about the price of food and consumer goods and the price of gasoline and energy were not asked in July 2022.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n ChartData<\/p>\n Download ImageShare<\/p>\n Americans also have a glum view of national economic conditions: Just 21% say they are excellent or good, down from 28% at the start of the year. This is one of the lowest assessments of the economy in either of President Donald Trump\u2019s two terms.<\/p>\n One of the biggest economic concerns of the public is about the price of gas and energy. Today, 74% of Americans say they are very concerned about this, up from 60% in July. In January \u2013 before the United States\u2019 military conflict with Iran \u2013 43% said they were very concerned about gas and energy prices.<\/p>\n Concern about gas prices is up across the political spectrum over this period, though it is higher among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (81% say they are very concerned) than among Republicans and Republican leaners (65%).<\/p>\n The new Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 U.S. adults, conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026, also finds wide majorities saying they are very concerned about the cost of:<\/p>\n Food and consumer goods (73%)<\/p>\n Healthcare (69%)<\/p>\n Housing (66%)<\/p>\n While concerns about the job market are not as widespread, they have also risen in recent months: 48% now say they are very concerned about people who want to work being unable to find jobs, up from 44% in July and substantially higher than the 29% who said this in October 2022.<\/p>\n Half of the public say they are very concerned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the economy.<\/p>\n In contrast, few Americans are very concerned about how the stock market is doing (21%).<\/p>\n Related: \u201cWith Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Overall views of the economy<\/p>\n Americans\u2019 economic ratings have ticked more negative over the last few months: Today, 21% describe economic conditions as excellent or good, while 37% say they are only fair and 42% say they are poor. In July, 24% said economic conditions were excellent or good.<\/p>\n Americans give the economy negative ratings, as Republicans\u2019 positive ratings continue to slip<\/p>\n % who say economic conditions in the country today are excellent\/good<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on X<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on Facebook<\/p>\n Americans give the economy negative ratings, as Republicans\u2019 positive ratings continue to slip<\/p>\n % who say economic conditions in the country today are excellent\/good<\/p>\n DateTotalRep\/Lean RepDem\/Lean Dem2016-11-083218462017-03-124137442018-10-075675442018-11-165974482019-08-045783372019-09-295675412020-01-195781392020-04-122337112020-06-22254692020-10-053357132020-11-173656192021-03-072325212021-04-293736392021-09-192616342022-01-172820362022-07-04135202022-10-16179262023-01-232112312023-04-021910282024-01-212813442024-05-192310372024-09-022510412025-02-022418302025-04-132336112025-09-282644102026-01-262849102026-07-122441102026-10-0421369<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n ChartData<\/p>\n Download ImageShare<\/p>\n The near-term decline in ratings is driven by a shift in Republicans\u2019 views.<\/p>\n Today, 36% of Republicans see the economy as in excellent or good shape, down from 41% in July. About a quarter of Republicans (23%) now say conditions are poor, up from 19% in July.<\/p>\n The share of Democrats who say the economy is excellent or good (9%) is largely unchanged since July, but the share who say conditions are poor has risen (56% now vs. 48% then).<\/p>\n Economic outlook<\/p>\n About a quarter of Americans (26%) say that they expect economic conditions will be better in a year, while roughly a third (34%) say conditions will be about the same and about four-in-ten (39%) expect them to worsen.<\/p>\n Republicans (41%) are more optimistic than Democrats (14%) about future conditions. Half of Democrats and a quarter of Republicans are pessimistic, saying things will get worse.<\/p>\n For trends on economic optimism, refer to Additional charts<\/a>.<\/p>\n What has the impact of Trump\u2019s economic policies been?<\/p>\n Most Americans see Donald Trump\u2019s economic policies as hurting the economy:<\/p>\n 65% say they have made things worse.<\/p>\n 15% say they have not had much of an effect.<\/p>\n 19% say his policies have made conditions better.<\/p>\n Republicans are now nearly as likely to say Trump\u2019s policies have hurt the economy as helped it<\/p>\n % who say that since taking office, Donald Trump\u2019s economic policies have made economic conditions \u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Note: No answer responses are not shown.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on X<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on Facebook<\/p>\n Republicans are now nearly as likely to say Trump\u2019s policies have hurt the economy as helped it<\/p>\n % who say that since taking office, Donald Trump\u2019s economic policies have made economic conditions \u2026<\/p>\n DateGroupBetterWorseNot had much of an effectSep \u201925Total245322Jan \u201926Total285219Jul \u201926Total206019Oct \u201926Total196515Sep \u201925Rep\/Lean Rep471933Jan \u201926Rep\/Lean Rep571825Jul \u201926Rep\/Lean Rep422829Oct \u201926Rep\/Lean Rep393525Sep \u201925Dem\/Lean Dem38710Jan \u201926Dem\/Lean Dem38512Jul \u201926Dem\/Lean Dem2898Oct \u201926Dem\/Lean Dem3916<\/p>\n Note: No answer responses are not shown.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n ChartData<\/p>\n Download ImageShare<\/p>\n Republicans are divided over the impact of Trump\u2019s policies \u2013 a shift over the last year:<\/p>\n 39% say Trump\u2019s policies have made economic conditions better \u2013 down from 47% last fall and 57% in January.<\/p>\n 35% say his policies have made things worse \u2013 up from 18% at the start of the year.<\/p>\n 25% say his policies have not had much of an effect \u2013 the same share as in January.<\/p>\n Democrats continue to overwhelmingly see Trump\u2019s policies as making economic conditions worse (91% say this today).<\/p>\n Views of tariff policies<\/p>\n By more than two-to-one, Americans see the administration\u2019s tariff policies as having a more negative (56%) than positive effect (20%) on the country in the coming years. About two-in-ten (22%) say the impact will be mixed.<\/p>\n A majority of Americans say Trump\u2019s tariff policies will have mostly negative impacts on the country <\/p>\n % who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration\u2019s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be \u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Note: No answer responses are not shown.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on X<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on Facebook<\/p>\n A majority of Americans say Trump\u2019s tariff policies will have mostly negative impacts on the country <\/p>\n % who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration\u2019s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be \u2026<\/p>\n Mostly positiveAbout equally positive and negativeMostly negativeGroupingTotal2022561Rep\/Lean Rep4034262Dem\/Lean Dem512832<\/p>\n Note: No answer responses are not shown.<\/p>\n Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n ChartData<\/p>\n Download ImageShare<\/p>\n Among Republicans<\/p>\n Four-in-ten Republicans say the tariffs will have a mostly positive impact (40%) on the country \u2013 down from 52% in August 2025 and 49% in January of this year.<\/p>\n About a quarter of Republicans (26%) now say the tariffs will be bad for the country \u2013 up from 21% last summer and 17% at the start of the year.<\/p>\n Roughly a third of Republicans (34%) continue to say the tariffs will have a mix of positive and negative consequences.<\/p>\n Among Democrats<\/p>\n Democrats overwhelmingly say Trump\u2019s tariffs will have a negative impact on the country (83% say this). Their views are little changed since last year.<\/p>\n For trends on views of tariff policy, refer to Additional charts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Partisan differences on economic concerns<\/p>\n Democrats express more concern than Republicans on most of the economic issues asked about on the survey, as they did in July<\/a> and at the start of Trump\u2019s second term<\/a>.<\/p>\n Democrats are more concerned than Republicans about several economic issues<\/p>\n % who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on X<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare on Facebook<\/p>\n Democrats are more concerned than Republicans about several economic issues<\/p>\n % who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today<\/p>\n TopicTotalRep\/Lean RepDem\/Lean DemThe price of gasoline and energy746581The price of food and consumer goods736282Cost of healthcare695780Cost of housing665376Role of AI in the economy504257People who want to work being unable to find jobs483459How the stock market is doing211922<\/p>\n Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/p>\n ChartData<\/p>\n Download ImageShare<\/p>\n Even as there are wide partisan gaps in concerns about prices of gasoline, energy, food, consumer goods and healthcare, majorities in both parties say they are very concerned about these issues.<\/p>\n Democrats are also more concerned than Republicans about the role of AI in the economy and people who want to work being unable to find jobs.<\/p>\n Relatively few in either party say they are concerned about how the stock market is doing.<\/p>\n![\"Chart\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/public_concern_about_the_price_of_gas_and_energy_other_essentials_rises-690089-1791486261.png\")
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