Where price expectations are headed in 2026
Core finding
Adults mostly expect prices to keep rising in 2026. About 64% say everyday goods such as groceries and household items will generally increase.
Personal confidence is weaker. About 56% are not confident that their income or savings will keep up with rising prices, compared with 44% who are confident.
Most expect everyday goods to cost more
About 64% expect the prices of everyday goods to increase in 2026.
Far smaller groups expect prices to decrease at 12% or stay the same at 21%.
Stacked breakdown
64% expect everyday goods to increase in price in 2026.
n = 1,000 · Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 · MoE ±3.1%
Confidence trails the price outlook
About 30% are somewhat confident and 14% are very confident that income or savings will keep up with rising prices.
The less confident side is larger: 30% are not very confident and 26% are not confident at all.
Stacked breakdown
56% are not confident their income or savings will keep pace.
n = 1,000 · Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 · MoE ±3.1%
The pressure is both expected and personal
The paired findings show a public that expects the price environment to get harder and is not fully sure household resources will catch up.
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
Thinking about 2026, do you expect the prices of everyday goods (like groceries and household items) to generally…
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-predictions
How confident are you that your income or savings will keep up with rising prices in 2026?
Cite this topic
2026 Predictions Survey #2025-183, fielded December 22, 2025-January 5, 2026, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.1%.