Americans prioritize food, health and housing costs over stock market worries, poll shows

A Pew Research Center survey conducted from July 6 to 12 asked over three thousand Americans about their economic concerns. The majority indicated high levels of worry regarding health-care costs (69%), food and consumer goods prices (66%), and housing affordability (64%). In contrast, just 18% said they were very concerned about the stock market’s condition.

Gallup data shows that roughly 62% of respondents own stock, a figure that has been stable since the late 1990s. The poll highlighted partisan differences, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to be very concerned about unemployment (57% vs. 29%) and other economic issues, though both parties shared low concern for the market. Views on President Trump’s economic policies were also split, with 89% of Democrats believing they worsen the economy versus 28% of Republicans. Overall, the findings suggest Americans remain focused on everyday cost pressures rather than financial market fluctuations.