Americans are continuing to feel the pressure of higher everyday costs as the 2026 midterm elections draw closer. A new AP-NORC poll shows that rising prices and the cost of living remain major concerns for people across the United States.
According to the poll conducted September 24–28, 65% of U.S. adults said higher-than-usual prices are the result of President Donald Trump’s policies. At the same time, views differ sharply by political party, with 67% of Republicans saying higher prices are mainly linked to factors beyond the president’s control.
The survey also found that Americans remain unhappy with how the administration is handling the cost of living. Only 17% approve of Trump’s handling of the issue, while 69% say his performance has been worse than they expected.
Everyday Costs Remain a Key Issue
For many Americans, the debate is closely connected to the prices of everyday necessities. Gas, groceries and other household expenses continue to influence how people view the economy.
The AP-NORC survey found that more than half of adults believe the country, the national economy and their local economy are worse off compared with when Trump was reelected in 2025.
Why It Matters Before the Midterms
With the November 2026 midterm elections approaching, economic issues are likely to remain an important part of the public conversation. The latest polling provides a snapshot of how Americans currently view prices and the administration’s economic performance, but opinions remain divided along party lines.
The AP-NORC poll interviewed 2,140 U.S. adults from September 24–28, 2026, with a margin of sampling error of ±2.9 percentage points.
1 thought on “Rising Prices Become a Major Concern for Americans Ahead of the 2026 Midterms”