Reuters/Ipsos poll: cost of living is Americans' top worry; 78% put some blame on the White House

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on 10 October found the cost of living to be the leading concern for Americans across parties ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.

Key findings

• 54% of respondents (including 40% of Republicans) said living costs had risen a lot in the past year; 30% said a little, 10% unchanged.
• 78% — including 64% of Republicans and 76% of independents — said the White House bears at least some responsibility; most named tariffs as an important cause of higher prices.
• 57% of Republicans said costs were rising faster than their pay.
• About 45% cited unauthorised immigration as a root cause of higher prices, echoing the administration’s argument.
• Spending cuts were limited: 63% said they eat out less and 56% spend less on entertainment or streaming.

Price backdrop

According to Reuters, the national average price of petrol was $4.36 a gallon on Thursday versus $3.11 a year earlier, diesel was $6.28, and the 30-year mortgage rate is around 7.5%. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the president had ended the “inflation crisis” inherited from his predecessor through tax cuts and lower prescription drug costs.

The online poll of 4,506 adults was completed on Monday; margin of error ±2 points overall.