Bay Staters Say Cost of Living Has Increased in Past Year, Nearly Half Feel Worse Off Financially 9/3/2026

Authors

• UNH Survey Center

Abstract

Nearly half of Massachusetts residents feel worse off financially than a year ago and expect to be doing about the same a year from now. Those with lower incomes are twice as likely as those with the highest incomes to feel worse off financially than a year ago. Most Bay Staters say their cost of living has increased in the past year, especially groceries, gasoline, and energy. Four in five expect tariffs to cause prices to increase and two-thirds disapprove of President Trump's use of tariffs. A majority of Bay Staters expect a recession within the next year and nearly half anticipate generally bad economic times, but state residents are somewhat less pessimistic about the Massachusetts economy.

Department

Bay State Poll

Publication Date

9-3-2026

Recommended Citation

UNH Survey Center, "Bay Staters Say Cost of Living Has Increased in Past Year, Nearly Half Feel Worse Off Financially 9/3/2026" (2026). All UNH Survey Center Polls. 996.
https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/996