5 Signs US Consumers Are Struggling Financially

While consumer spending continues to drive the U.S. economy, new data indicates households are under significant financial pressure. Experts point to rising debt and shrinking savings as evidence that Americans are struggling to keep up with inflation [2].

Key takeaways

• Credit card delinquencies have reached their highest level since 2011 [2].
• The personal savings rate dropped to 2.6% in April, a 22-year low [2].
• Real household income has fallen more than 1% over the past year [2].
• Lower-income households are reducing gas consumption despite overall spending increases [2].

Rising Debt and Dwindling Savings

Financial strain is becoming evident through increasing reliance on credit and depleted savings. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates credit card debt has surged nearly 70% since the pandemic, totaling $1.28 trillion outstanding [1]. Concurrently, credit card delinquencies have hit their highest point since 2011, with approximately 13% of all accounts in arrears during the first quarter [2].

Americans are also tapping into retirement funds to stay afloat. Fidelity reports that 19.2% of accounts had outstanding loans in the first quarter, while hardship withdrawals rose to 2.5% [2]. Simultaneously, the personal savings rate fell to 2.6% in April, down from 5.5% a year ago, marking the lowest savings rate in two decades [2].

Income Lagging Behind Inflation

Economic pressures are intensifying because income growth is not keeping pace with the cost of living. Two key inflation metrics show that household incomes are falling behind, resulting in a drop of more than 1% in real after-tax income over the past year—the largest decline since the Great Recession in 2009 [2].

Energy costs are exacerbating this gap. One report notes gas prices have spiked more than 30% since the start of the war with Iran [1]. In response, lower- and middle-income households cut their gas consumption in March, whereas high-income households did not change their driving habits [2]. Retailers are observing this stress; Walmart reported the number of gallons customers purchased fell below 10 for the first time since 2022 [2].

Why it matters

Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of U