Poll: Most North Carolinians say rising prices are forcing them to cut back on spending

SALISBURY, NC (WWAY) — Nearly three-quarters of North Carolinians say rising prices caused them to cut back on regular purchases in the past month, according to a new statewide survey from Catawba College and YouGov.

The survey found 72% of respondents reported reducing their spending because of higher prices, while 57% said they have difficulty affording their regular monthly expenses.

The poll, conducted among 1,000 weighted North Carolina respondents, also found that 75% said their households are under high financial pressure due to rising prices, and 71% believe it is difficult for the average American to afford basic goods and services.

Among several spending categories, respondents were most likely to describe buying a vehicle as unaffordable. Sixty-eight percent said automobiles are unaffordable, compared with 15% who said they are affordable.

Gasoline ranked second, with 62% saying fuel is unaffordable. Housing followed at 61%, while healthcare and insurance (59%), groceries (58%) and energy and utility costs (57%) also were viewed as unaffordable by majorities of respondents.

Dr. Michael Bitzer, director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service at Catawba College, said affordability concerns extend beyond households struggling to pay monthly bills.

“Many North Carolinians are cutting back on purchases even if they are not having difficulty meeting their monthly expenses,” Bitzer said in a news release.

The survey found that 52% of respondents who said they are able to afford their monthly expenses still reported cutting back on purchases. Among those experiencing financial difficulty, 86% said they had reduced their spending.

Compared with a similar survey conducted in January, respondents reported growing concern about everyday expenses.

The share of North Carolinians who said they were cutting back on regular purchases increased from 64% in January to 72% in June. The percentage describing groceries and personal care items as unaffordable rose from 51% to 58%.

Housing was the only major category to show a notable improvement, with the percentage describing housing as unaffordable falling from 70% in January to 61% in June.

The survey also examined how respondents’ views on affordability related to their preferences in the 2026 midterm elections. Researchers said the findings show a relationship between economic perceptions and vote intentions but do not establish that affordability concerns are causing voters to support a particular candidate or party.

The Catawba-YouGov Survey was conducted among 1,000 weighted North Carolina adults. Additional information about the survey’s methodology is available from Catawba College.