{
  "id": 14915568,
  "title": "Middle-income Americans are feeling the squeeze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/middle-income-americans-are-feeling-the-squeeze",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T09:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-income-americans-are-feeling-the-squeeze-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Pew Research Center survey revealed that 71% of middle-income earners have reduced their spending on non-essentials, such as dining out. Only 47% of these earners were able to save money last year, compared to 39% of lower-income Americans and 13% of the highest earners. The U.S. economy is facing rising costs, with the consumer price index inflation rate increasing to 3.7% in September, above the 3.6% forecast. Inflation-adjusted wages have also been declining for six months.\n\nLower-income Americans are struggling to afford necessities, with 51% saying they could pay all their bills in full last year, down from 56% in 2020. Middle-income earners saw a similar drop, from 81% to 78%. Even upper-income earners, who have consistently fared better, saw a slight decline from 93% in 2020 to 93% in 2026.\n\nThe survey also shows that middle-income earners are aligning more closely with lower-income peers, indicating a worsening economic situation. The Urban Institute found that middle-income renters are now more likely to struggle with rent payments than lower-income renters. Many working people are living paycheck to paycheck, working longer hours for less pay, and facing higher costs for basic necessities like groceries and heating bills.",
  "summary": "A Pew Research Center survey showed that some Americans are cutting back on spending on extras and don't have months of rainy-day funds.",
  "key_points": [
    "71% of middle-income earners reduced non-essential spending",
    "Inflation rate at 3.7% in September, above forecast",
    "Middle-income renters more likely to struggle with rent"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}