Why Affordability Has Become Everyone's Top Political Issue
November may be months away, but political messaging has ramped up ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Much of that messaging has focused on affordability, reflecting Americans’ concerns about their overall cost of living.
Writing for the Brookings Institution, William A. Galston noted that, “Since the pandemic, Americans have ranked the cost of living (often labeled ‘affordability’) as the top problem they want America’s leaders to address.”
But why has affordability become this preeminent issue? MoneyLion spoke with a few experts to get a clear sense of why people may be voting with their wallets in this election cycle.
For You: What a Middle-Class Family Budget Looked Like 50 Years Ago vs. Now
Find Out: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
Voters Have a Sense That Current Affordability Issues Have Been Created by Leaders
Many Americans aren’t just feeling financially squeezed — they’re also frustrated. Robert R. Johnson, a finance professor at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business, explained that peak inflation in recent years was largely driven by the coronavirus pandemic — a factor outside policymakers’ direct control.
Johnson said that now, voters see current inflation rates largely as the result of “a self-inflicted wound,” pointing to policy decisions such as tariffs and geopolitical conflicts.
“Consumers were more understanding about higher prices resulting from a factor that was essentially out of their control,” Johnson said. “They’re frustrated with the current situation because they view it as the direct result of actions taken by the federal government.”
The Affordability Crunch Is Hitting Almost Everyone
Johnson added that while some issues only impact certain segments of the population, affordability affects most voters. Think of it this way: Everyone must eat, so everyone is more likely to notice that many common grocery items are going up in price.
“It is unambiguous. That is, politicians can’t effectively spin that prices are falling when they are rising,” Johnson said.
Everyday Life Is Getting More Expensive
Groceries aren’t the only aspects of modern life that are getting more expensive for broad swaths of voters. As a member of Gen Z, Annie Moore, co-founder of global advisory firm Imperio Chaos, bluntly stated the problem: “Nothing is affordable.”
She added that the average voter understands that life is getting more expensive — and they’re angry about it.
“What the average voter understands is that life is getting more expensive. Filling up their car costs $60 now, not $35,” Moore said. “People are cutting back, driving less, canceling subscriptions, cutting out drinking — or they're racking up credit card debt to try to keep up with the Joneses. Most of these people don't care who's in power — they'll blame whoever it is.”
Learn More: Enter for a Chance To Win $500 in MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
Moore said that voters in the midterms will likely vote for whoever they feel will address their pain points. While she acknowledged that many people will still vote down party lines, she said a growing class of independent voters will be choosing candidates based on how well they handle affordability issues.
“If a political hopeful wants to win votes, he or she will speak to kitchen-table issues in a way that is relatable, authentic, and solution-oriented, not performative,” Moore said.
The Bottom Line
As voters gear up for what may be an eventful midterm election, many of them will focus on the costs of daily living. According to the experts MoneyLion spoke with, Americans are feeling the effects of higher prices across many common areas of life, and they’re angry about what they perceive to be preventable affordability issues. Politicians who want to come out on top in this election cycle would be wise to pay attention.
To help Americans navigate the added cost of summer, MoneyLion is giving away $1,000 every day through July 4. Enter the Summer Break Giveaway here (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See Official Rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: