Cost of living and affordability
Affordability is expected to remain a dominant political message in 2026 across California, including Los Angeles County. Republicans frame the crisis as a failure of progressive governance, while Democrats face pressure to deliver cost-of-living relief through structural reforms on housing supply, energy infrastructure, and service delivery rather than subsidies alone.
What approach should Los Angeles County and California take to address the cost-of-living and affordability crisis?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Business and Consumers.
28% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
- Liberal5%
- Lean liberal22%
- Moderate30%
- Lean conservative28%
- Conservative15%
Where do you stand?
What approach should Los Angeles County and California take to address the cost-of-living and affordability crisis?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Expect affordability to remain a dominant political message in 2026. Republicans will frame the crisis as a failure of progressive governance, while Democrats will face pressure to deliver real cost-of-living relief — not just through subsidies, but through longer-term structural reform on housing supply, energy infrastructure, and service delivery.
Affordability and the economy, including economic outlook, financial struggles, and the housing crisis.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Large-scale public housing, rent control expansion, and major new social spending to cut costs
- Increase housing supply via zoning reform plus targeted subsidies for working families
- Mix of modest supply reforms, infrastructure investment, and limited cost-relief programs
- Cut regulations and taxes on business and housing development to lower prices through markets
- Deep spending and tax cuts, deregulation, and end progressive policies blamed for high costs