More than 1 in 3 Utahns struggled to afford basic needs, Census survey finds
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Utahns' pockets are feeling the pinch by the costs of rent and goods.
State of play: About 36% of adults in the state experienced difficulty affording household expenses between late June and July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey.
Why it matters: Inflation pressures and ballooning housing costs have become a major focal point in Utah's gubernatorial race.
- During last week's governor's debate, Gov. Spencer Cox said his plan to see 35,000 starter homes built by 2030 would lower housing costs.
- Democratic candidate state Rep. Brian King has campaigned on a progressive tax system.
Between the lines: Despite that, Utah's consumer sentiment in July rose to its highest level (77.3) since February 2022, per a University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute survey.
Zoom out: An estimated 37% of American adults are in households that found it somewhat or very difficult to pay for typical expenses, per the census survey.
The big picture: Consumers nationwide have been dealing with rising prices — but some parts of the country are having a harder time making ends meet than others.
The intrigue: Americans in parts of the South and Southeast are having an especially hard time paying for everyday expenses compared with those elsewhere.
- Mississippi (49.5%), Alabama (45.5%) and West Virginia (43.5%) have the highest percentage of adults who say they're having trouble affording their basic needs.
- Washington, D.C. (19.3%); Vermont (26.4%) and Minnesota (27.4%) have the fewest residents reporting such difficulties.