Americans are grappling with rising living costs, driven largely by surging gasoline prices amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A recent survey shows mounting anxiety over future expenses and reveals how individuals nationwide are adjusting their budgets.
As prices climb, many households are rethinking daily routines—from grocery runs to commuting—while debates intensify over the administration’s handling of the situation.
Survey Reveals Economic Concerns
A recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found half of Americans anticipate further increases in gas prices over the next year, and four in ten feel worse off financially than when the president began his second term in January 2025. Nearly one-quarter report falling behind on bills.
A sign displays the prices of unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel at a Shell gas station in Upland, Calif., on May 4, 2026. Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The poll also found that 15% expect gas prices to remain steady. Many respondents reported difficulty covering necessities and expressed dissatisfaction with national leadership.
Personal Stories: Rising Costs Bite
Jacob Olson, 28, of Beebe, Arkansas, said higher fuel and grocery costs have strained his family’s budget. After losing his warehouse manager job at a solar company that folded, he now crafts custom wood projects and spends significant money on gas traveling to clients.
“One day at a time,” Olson said. “One foot in front of the other. … That’s about the way to sum it up.”
He added he no longer budgets for leisure. “I don’t really do anything, you know, for leisure or luxury anymore,” Olson said. “It’s all kind of just getting the bills paid … I have a 1-year-old, and I just had another baby about a month ago, so I’ve got two little ones, and every day it’s getting harder.”
In Lubbock, Texas, 66-year-old Brenda Howard relies on rideshare services for work and errands. She said a round-trip to the grocery store by Uber or Lyft costs about $30. “This is not the way I thought my retirement was gonna turn out,” Howard said. “I never dreamed that it would be a day-to-day struggle, sometimes hour to hour.”
Adjusting Budgets and Behaviors
The poll indicates more than 4 in 10 Americans have cut back on driving (44%) or reduced household spending (42%). About one-third have altered travel or vacation plans. Those in households earning under $50,000 annually are most affected, with over half reporting cutbacks in driving and other expenses.
Martha Davis, 66, who cares for her disabled son in Tool, Texas, drives up to 60 miles for medical appointments. “I used to get back and forth on like $20, $25, but now it’s almost 70 bucks,” Davis said.
Political and Market Implications
Four in ten respondents said they are worse off than at the start of the president’s term. Andy Breedlove, 51, of West Virginia, said he supports the administration overall yet still feels squeezed by high gas costs. “But with the price of everything else, it kind of evens out a little,” Breedlove said. He anticipates further increases due to the conflict with Iran.
The Iranian government’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which about 20% of global oil trade passes—has disrupted markets. A 61% majority in the poll called the decision to go to war a mistake.
“He hasn’t made a clear statement on why … we’re actually participating at all,” Olson said. “From what I know, there’s been a lot of just lying and, you know, not being transparent, and … a big lack of professionalism, which I don’t appreciate coming from the president.”
Christopher Mosley, 43, a former Walmart worker in Fort Smith, Arkansas, described the administration’s foreign policy as “reckless.”
When asked in early April whether gas prices would fall before the midterm elections, the president said they might hold steady or rise. On May 1, he predicted prices would come “tumbling down” once the conflict ends. Iran is reviewing the latest proposal from the U.S. government aimed at winding down the war, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said.
With elections approaching, financial strain could sway voter sentiment. Jim Piper, 36, of Portage, Indiana, who lives on a fixed disability income, said rising prices are outpacing his earnings. “I got to pay more, even though I’m not making more,” Piper said.