What factors contributed to the stress over rising grocery costs among Americans?

Stress over rising grocery costs is mainly due to the significant increase in food prices nationwide, with certain locations experiencing much higher inflation rates, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals and women.

How have grocery prices changed across the United States in recent times?

Grocery prices increased by approximately 5.3% year-over-year nationwide in 2025, with variations up to 5% between states, causing some families to face much higher costs depending on their location.

Why do women report higher levels of financial stress compared to men regarding grocery costs?

Women report higher financial stress because they are more affected by income insecurity, lower savings, healthcare expenses, and grocery costs, leading to greater overall financial pressure.

What is the impact of 'buy now, pay later' usage on stress related to grocery expenses?

Approximately 30% of U.S. adults use 'buy now, pay later' services for essentials like groceries, which can contribute to increased financial stress as people defer payments while managing rising costs.

How does recent inflation data relate to the changes in grocery costs and overall financial stress?

Inflation rates increased moderately in mid-2025, with food prices rising about 2.9% year-over-year, contributing to ongoing financial stress among consumers, especially for essential groceries.

3 sources

•

5M ago

Americans Face Widespread Stress Over Rising Grocery Costs

Most Americans, especially low-income individuals and women, are significantly stressed by grocery costs, with some using 'buy now, pay later' for essentials.

C 67%

R 33%

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Approximately half of all Americans are experiencing stress due to the rising cost of groceries, a concern highlighted across multiple national polls.

A significant majority of U.S. adults, with only 14% reporting no stress, are impacted by grocery expenses, indicating widespread financial pressure.

Low-income Americans are disproportionately affected, identifying grocery costs as a major source of stress, according to various surveys.

Women consistently report higher levels of financial stress compared to men, specifically concerning income, savings, healthcare, and grocery expenses.

About 3 in 10 U.S. adults have used 'buy now, pay later' services for essentials like groceries, further contributing to the overall stress regarding food costs.

Written using shared reports from

3 sources

Report issue

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by focusing on objective poll data regarding widespread financial stress, particularly grocery costs. They present findings across various demographics without assigning blame or advocating for specific policies. The inclusion of diverse personal anecdotes serves to illustrate the data, maintaining an informative and balanced tone.

How we categorize media bias

Sources (3)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

Sort By

Center (2)

Majority of US adults are stressed about grocery costs, an AP-NORC poll finds

ABC News•5M ago

The vast majority of US adults are stressed about grocery costs, an AP-NORC poll finds

Associated Press•5M ago

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

: Stress over rising grocery costs is mainly due to the significant increase in food prices nationwide, with certain locations experiencing much higher inflation rates, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals and women.
Sources:
TrueGrade Foods
: Grocery prices increased by approximately 5.3% year-over-year nationwide in 2025, with variations up to 5% between states, causing some families to face much higher costs depending on their location.
Sources:
ConsumerAffairs
: Women report higher financial stress because they are more affected by income insecurity, lower savings, healthcare expenses, and grocery costs, leading to greater overall financial pressure.
Sources:
TrueGrade Foods
: Approximately 30% of U.S. adults use 'buy now, pay later' services for essentials like groceries, which can contribute to increased financial stress as people defer payments while managing rising costs.
Sources:
TrueGrade Foods
: Inflation rates increased moderately in mid-2025, with food prices rising about 2.9% year-over-year, contributing to ongoing financial stress among consumers, especially for essential groceries.
Sources:
Trading Economics

History

See how this story has evolved over time.

This story does not have any previous versions.