Cost of living and inflation
National polling and midterm coverage identify rising prices, inflation, and overall affordability of American life as top voter concerns heading into 2026. These pressures affect household budgets in every state, including Indiana, and shape congressional races and state policy debates over spending, wages, and prices.
How should Indiana and federal policymakers address inflation and the rising cost of living?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
By a wide margin, voters most want candidates running for Congress to talk about economic issues – with many specifically mentioning prices and affordability.
Harvard Institute of Politics — https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/52nd-edition-spring-2026
Rising prices and inflation (46%) and the cost of housing (40%) are the only issues that large shares of young Americans consider urgent national crises
NPR — https://www.npr.org/2026/09/08/nx-s1-5960533/2026-midterm-campaign-kickoff-house-senate-trump
Voters have expressed concern over major priorities of the Trump administration, such as the war in Iran and immigration, tariffs and gas prices and the overall affordability of American life.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Expand government aid, price controls, and social programs to shield households from high costs
- Increase targeted relief and subsidies for food, energy, and housing while monitoring markets
- Balance modest relief with fiscal restraint and let markets largely set prices
- Cut spending and regulations to reduce costs, limiting new aid programs
- Prioritize aggressive spending cuts, deregulation, and tariffs to force prices down