South Carolinians and many Americans are showing signs of stress as household bills sit at the center of their financial stress.
From housing and utilities to gas and everyday essentials, the squeeze on Palmetto State households is clear, and new polling shows just how widespread the strain has become.
According to a survey of 1,100 registered voters conducted May 5–7 by Global Strategy Group for the Kitchen Table Project, two‑thirds of Americans (67%) say the rising cost of living is affecting their households.
Additionally, in a Winthrop University poll, most South Carolina residents rate today’s economy as bad, with half saying they are not as well off financially as they were a year ago.
According to the Winthrop poll, 67% of South Carolinians said grocery costs are difficult or very difficult to afford, while nearly 59% struggle with health care and housing costs, such as rent and mortgages.
Many people also cannot afford everyday activities. 61% said dining out is unaffordable, and 72% said a week‑long vacation is beyond their budget.
Groceries may be the biggest headache, but they’re not the only bills weighing people down.
According to the Kitchen Table Project Global Strategy Group study, (36%) of Americans say housing, and (29%) say utilities are all piling on too, with more than a third of Americans saying rent or mortgage costs are a top stressor.
Additionally, (33%) of Americans are feeling the pinch at the pump and on their energy bills.
As of Aug.
4, AAA reports the national average gas price is $4.0890, while South Carolina drivers are paying a lower average of $3.6520.
Meanwhile, crude oil has slipped more than 3% to below $78 a barrel as of Aug. 4, reversing earlier gains and easing some pressure on fuel costs.
The Kitchen Table Project Global Strategy Group study also shows broad, bipartisan support for government intervention, with majorities of Democrats (84%), independents (67%), and Republicans (78%) backing efforts to crack down on price gouging and strengthen regulations.
Respondents want immediate relief, with 65% saying costs must be lowered now to ease household struggles.
Of the research group, 35% favor tackling the root causes even if the solutions take longer, with 48% of Americans saying tariffs and trade restrictions are to blame for rising costs (46% say corporate price hikes), and 82% think politicians can cut costs if they prioritize them.
Across the country, Americans point fingers at corporations and wealthy interests for driving up costs, and South Carolina families are no different.
From groceries to housing and energy, residents here also feel the squeeze just as sharply.
Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Reach him at
trose@gannett.com.