A new survey found that most Americans believe the country is facing a cost-of-living crisis, and Illinois ranks among the states viewed as less affordable.

According to 2026 research commissioned by Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, 87 percent of Americans say the United States is in a crisis due to a lack of affordability. More than half of those surveyed said they are struggling to pay bills on time, while half report difficulty affording basic necessities like groceries.

The survey also found that nearly eight in ten respondents said everything became more expensive in 2025, and nearly half believe affordability will get even worse in 2026.

In Illinois, just 27 percent of respondents described the state as affordable, placing it among the lowest-ranked states in the country and on par states like California and New York.

It is no surprise Illinois is facing an affordability crisis under Governor Pritzker’s watch, pointing to the state’s unfriendly business climate, growing tax burden, and escalating utility costs. Hardworking families are paying the price for policies that continue to make Illinois more expensive and less competitive.