7 Monthly Bills the 2026 Midterms Could Affect & What You Can Do About Each
It's not hyperbole to say this election year is pitched.
The 2026 midterms are on Nov. 3, and regardless of who wins, your wallet could be impacted. Even if you're apolitical, the outcomes will affect you. Here are seven ways your cost of living could change and how to take control of your finances.
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1. Mortgage or Rent: Housing Policy Could Affect Affordability
Housing affordability is an issue across the U.S., and the midterms could influence housing supply, property taxes and renter protections.
“I would watch property taxes and housing supply more closely than the mortgage rate,” said Mike Plactere, CPA, owner of We Buy Long Island Homes Fast and a licensed New York real estate agent. “Property taxes, especially, set the monthly housing cost number more than the rate does.”
When property taxes go up, rent typically does too, as landlords offset the cost.
Another issue is zoning. Plactere said policies that make it easier to build, add an accessory apartment or convert a two-family home can increase available units. More supply could put downward pressure on prices and rents, although changes would not happen overnight.
On renter protections, “the biggest question to ask is who pays,” Plactere said. “Some of them help the tenant directly. Others raise a landlord’s cost or risk, and that comes back as higher rent or fewer places available.”
What you can do:
Don't look only at the mortgage or rent payment. Leave room in your budget for property taxes, insurance, repairs, utilities and other fees.
2. Health Insurance: Policy Changes Could Affect Costs
Affordable healthcare is one of the most pressing issues for voters, according to research by KFF. Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and average monthly net Marketplace premium costs increased 58% in 2026, per the Center for American Progress.
“Changes involving subsidies, Medicaid eligibility or prescription-drug rules could move costs again,” said Danny Ray, founder of PinnacleQuote, “The Life Insurance Experts.”
What you can do:
During open enrollment, compare plans’ total costs, including premiums, deductibles, prescriptions and provider networks, instead of automatically renewing last year's coverage.
3. Utilities: Energy Policy Could Affect Your Monthly Bill
If staying cool has given you sticker shock, you’re not alone. Residential electricity prices increased 4.4% nationally from June 2025 to June 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Ray said energy policies involving fuel costs, incentives for new generation, efficiency programs and grid investments can affect utility bills. “The impact can vary by state and utility,” he said.
What you can do:
Reduce peak usage and check your utility's rebate and assistance programs.
4. Car Insurance: State Rules Could Influence Premiums
Car insurance prices are rising in many states, per Insurify, and the midterms could shape state insurance rules.
“Car insurance is heavily regulated at the state level, so changes in insurance rules, litigation costs, consumer protections and coverage requirements can eventually affect premiums,” said Ray.
What you can do:
Shop your policy annually and review your deductible, coverage limits, discounts and optional coverage.
5. Gas: Global Oil Markets Can Outweigh US Policy
Midterms can have a slight impact on what you’ll pay at the pump, but geopolitical disruptions can have a more immediate effect.
“I wouldn’t expect to see a meaningful drop in fuel prices until tensions ease again,” said Broderic Fernow, marketing manager at P-Fleet.
"Disruptions in the Middle East have caused significant swings in crude and gasoline prices,” said Ray.
What you can do:
Build a fuel cushion into your monthly budget, combine trips and use rewards strategically.
6. Student Loans: Don't Build Your Budget Around Forgiveness
Changes to student loan forgiveness programs could affect borrowers.
Peter Diamond, a federally licensed tax, accounting, real estate, and structure and Certified Bankability Expert, advises against making budget plans around potential forgiveness.
“Hoping that a future administration waves the magic wand and makes the loan disappear is not a financial plan,” he said.
What you can do:
Confirm your repayment plan, interest rate, monthly payment and outstanding balance. Use autopay if it provides a financial benefit, but continue reviewing the loan regularly.
7. Taxes: Tax Changes Could Affect Your Bottom Line
Midterms can affect which tax proposals have enough support to become law, including changes to rates, deductions and credits
But Diamond said trying to guess upcoming political changes isn’t helpful.
“Instead of building your financial life around guessing what politicians will do next — which is completely outside your control," he said, "focus on what you can control: your spending, assets, investments and cash flow.”
What you can do:
Review your withholding and estimated payments, keep deduction and credit records and stay informed about tax changes.
While you can’t control election results, you can plan and get financially ready.
Editor’s note on political coverage: MoneyLion is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on MoneyLion.com.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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