Lower-Income Adults Report Financial Shame, Strain

A Pew Research Center survey finds financial shame and hardship rise sharply as income falls across American households.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Saving

Lower-Income Adults Report Financial Shame, Strain

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Do you feel your household's finances are getting worse over time?

Pew Research Center reported that 23% of lower-income adults felt ashamed about their financial situation very or extremely often, compared with 3% of upper-income adults. The findings draw on an August 24-30 survey of 5,166 adults, with income categories based on adjusted 2025 earnings.

Why it matters

The gap reflects how financial strain shapes not only household budgets but also how people view their own financial standing. With affordability emerging as a central concern heading into the 2026 midterm elections, the data highlights the widening pressure on lower-income Americans.

Pew's survey found 53% of adults lacked emergency savings sufficient to cover three months of expenses, and 50% of adults who struggled with a necessity borrowed from friends or family. The analysis does not indicate how these figures have shifted since earlier survey waves.

The players

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C., known for public opinion polling and social science research on economic and social trends.

The details

Among adults who struggled with at least one necessity, 31% took out a payday or other short-term loan. Among lower-income parents with children under 18, 30% reported trouble paying for childcare during the previous year, while 43% of lower-income adults frequently felt stuck financially.

August 24-30: Pew surveyed 5,166 adults, including respondents from an earlier survey wave.
During the previous year: Lower-income adults reported hardships and childcare payment difficulties.
2026: Midterm elections are expected to center on affordability concerns.

Big Picture

The results extend Pew Research Center's ongoing national surveys of American financial wellbeing, which track how income tiers diverge on measures of security and confidence. The sharp split in financial shame between income groups points to a persistent divide rather than a short-term downturn.

With more than half of adults lacking three months of emergency savings, a single unexpected expense can force borrowing from friends, family, or short-term lenders. Building even a small cash cushion can reduce reliance on high-cost loans when pressures arise.

The takeaway

Income level strongly shapes both financial stress and how people feel about their money. Tracking small, regular savings is one practical step toward reducing that pressure over time.