1-866-646-8465

Gold 2,685.83 -21.58

Silver 31.38 -0.73

Platinum 979.95 -20.37

Palladium 1,025.54 -24.17

CHARTS
0

Your Cart:

Subtotal: $0.00
A person in a blue button down shirt using a calculator to pay bills

U.S. States Most Impacted by Inflation

Brad Chastain Director of Education U.S. Money Reserve

Written by Brad Chastain

Dec 12, 2023

After nearly three years of stubbornly high inflation, the rate of price increases in the United States finally appears to be slowing down. U.S. Consumer Price Index data for October 2023 shows an overall 3.2% increase in prices year-over-year and no increase for September 2023. Two major spending categories—energy (-4.5%) and used vehicles (-7.1%)—have even declined since October 2022.

While the rate of price increases is falling closer to historical norms and the Federal Reserve’s target inflation rate of 2%, prices are still rising, and consumers are still feeling the cumulative effects of rapid inflation that dates back to early 2021. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, $1 today has the same purchasing power as just $0.85 in January 2021.

A graph showing that a growing number of American households report doing worse off financially now vs 12 months ago

Inflation weighs heavily on the public’s mind when judging the current state of the economy. Though the United States continues to add jobs and experience wage growth, these encouraging trends have not shaken U.S. adults’ feelings of financial difficulty. According to surveys conducted by the Federal Reserve, 35% of U.S. adults in 2022 reported that they were doing worse off financially than 12 months prior. That figure was up from 20% in 2021 and 14% in 2019, the year preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.

A chart showing that a majority of Americans report stress and concern over price increases

Other recent data confirms Americans’ gloomy view of the economy. In surveys from the third quarter of 2023, nearly half of Americans (47.9%) stated that they were very stressed about price increases within the past two months, while another 47.1% reported being moderately or a little stressed. Expectations for the near future are similarly pessimistic: 57.5% of Americans say they are very concerned about price increases in the next 6 months, and just 5.1% say they are not at all concerned.

Trending

Often seen as a safe-haven asset class, precious metals can be a hedge against both inflation and recessions. You may be surprised to learn how easy it is to buy gold today—one of the more consistent performers among precious metals for many years.
A map showing that adults in southern states are most concerned about inflation

While concerns about inflation are shared across the country, adults in the southern U.S. report much higher levels of stress. Mississippi leads all states with 56.7% of adults reporting that they are very stressed about recent price increases, and neighboring Louisiana ranks second at 55.2%. In contrast, northern states report comparatively low stress levels. In Vermont, 35.5% of adults are very stressed about price increases, with Minnesota, South Dakota, and Washington not far behind.

Below is a complete breakdown of all 50 states’ data. The research was conducted by U.S. Money Reserve using Q3 2023 data from the Census Bureau. For more details on how the analysis was conducted, refer to the methodology below.

Central park in New York City, New York
Photo Credit: Ingus Kruklitis/Shutterstock

15. New York

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 48.6%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 56.2%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 17.9%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 27.9%

Secure Your Future

Among its many benefits, a self-directed IRA permits you to hold the broadest possible selection of assets. Find out how easy it is to start a gold IRA today with our comprehensive precious metals ira guide.
The golden gate bridge and San Francisco, California skyline
Photo Credit: yhelfman/Shutterstock

14. California

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 48.7%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 57.3%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 19.0%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 28.8%
A residential area and surrounding mountains in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photo Credit: turtix/Shutterstock

13. New Mexico

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 48.9%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 59.8%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 19.6%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 31.4%
The Little Rock, Arkansas skyline and river
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

12. Arkansas

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 49.8%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 63.1%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 18.1%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 27.2%
Mountains outside Phoenix, Arizona
Photo Credit: Gregory E. Clifford/Shutterstock

11. Arizona

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 50.7%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 60.2%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 18.8%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 31.0%
The strip in Las Vegas, Nevada
Photo Credit: Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock

10. Nevada

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 51.0%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 63.3%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 20.3%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 30.1%
A view of the Birmingham, Alabama city skyline and surrounding hills
Photo Credit: Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

9. Alabama

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 51.5%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 64.4%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 19.6%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 26.4%
A view of the Charleston, West Virginia skyline and highways
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

8. West Virginia

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 51.6%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 62.5%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 17.6%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 27.8%
A view of the Atlanta, Georgia skyline and highways
Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock

7. Georgia

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 52.2%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 62.3%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 20.9%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 29.9%
Louisville, Kentucky skyline and pedestrian bridge
Photo Credit: Harold Stiver/Shutterstock

6. Kentucky

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 52.3%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 63.4%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 18.6%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 27.4%
View of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma skyline
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

5. Oklahoma

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 52.6%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 62.5%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 22.2%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 27.8%
Austin, Texas skyline, river, and bridges
Photo Credit: Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

4. Texas

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 53.0%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 59.6%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 20.0%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 29.6%
Orlando, Florida skyline from the water
Photo Credit: Songquan Deng/Shutterstock

3. Florida

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 53.6%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 64.2%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 20.6%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 31.6%
New Orleans skyline
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

2. Louisiana

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 55.2%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 66.5%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 24.2%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 28.0%
View of Jackson, Mississippi capitol building
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

1. Mississippi

  • Adults who are very stressed about recent price increases: 56.7%
  • Adults who are very concerned about future price increases: 66.5%
  • Adults who find it very difficult to cover usual expenses: 24.5%
  • Adults who used savings to meet spending needs: 26.3%

Methodology

The data used in this analysis is from Weeks 59–62 of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. This period closely aligns with the most recent quarter: Q3 2023. To identify the states most impacted by inflation, researchers at U.S. Money Reserve calculated the percentage of adults who reported being “very stressed” about recent price increases. Available choices for survey respondents included very stressed, moderately stressed, a little stressed, or not at all stressed. Researchers also calculated the percentage of adults who felt “very concerned” about future price increases and the percentage of adults who found it “very difficult” to cover usual household expenses (both using a similar rating scale). The percentage of adults who reported needing to use savings to meet their spending needs was also included. All data was averaged across the four surveys covering the study period. If you liked this article, you will also like this: “U.S. Cities Where Retirees Have Been in Their Homes the Longest“.

For a comprehensive report, check out the “U.S. States Most Impacted by Inflation” report by USMR.

Global Gold Forecast Special Report

Subscribe

Sign up now for latest executive insights and latest news delivered right to your inbox.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Articles

The Case for Gold After the Election

The Case for Gold After the Election

With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, many investors are feeling reassured about economic policies they believe will be pro-business and growth-oriented. If you have been considering purchasing gold but are holding off to see how things pan out after...

read more

Start diversifying today

   1-866-646-8465

As one of the largest distributors of precious metals in the nation, U.S. Money Reserve gives you access to our highly-trained team.

U.S. Money Reserve Gold Kit and Global Gold Forecast Special Report Thumbnail
The Ultimate Guide

Free Gold Information Kit

Sign up now to receive the ultimate guide to gold ownership, unlock special offers, and more.