Americans are optimistic about their finances in 2026
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 22, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026, 73% of Americans said they expect their personal financial situation in 2026 to improve compared with 2025, including 55% who said somewhat improve and 18% who said greatly improve.
About a quarter said they expect their finances to worsen, with 21% who said somewhat worsen and 6% who said greatly worsen (27%).
Topline distribution
73% of Americans expect their finances to improve in 2026.
Compared to 2025, how do you expect your personal financial situation to change in 2026?
n = 1,000 · Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 · MoE ±3.1%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.1% |
| Module | predictions |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight for AI and predictions questions; weight_popculture for pop culture questions |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-predictions
Compared to 2025, how do you expect your personal financial situation to change in 2026?
Cite this question
2026 Predictions Survey #2025-183, fielded December 22, 2025-January 5, 2026, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.1%.