Economic Experience Dashboard

The Economic Experience Dashboard is designed to provide a corrected view of the actual economic experience of the US population. By factoring together multiple economic data sources we can track the actual financial health and experience of individuals and families trying to balance a budget.

S3T Affordability Distress Indicator – U.S. Households

As of: 2025-10

11% of U.S. adults are in Severe Affordability Distress, and 19% are in Moderate Distress. In total, 52% face some level of affordability strain (mild, moderate, or severe).

Secure

48%

Budget covers essentials, debt, and saving; room for shocks.

Mild Distress

22%

Generally stable, but higher prices and interest costs pinch. May not have adequate savings.

Moderate Distress

19%

Essentials, rent, and debt service regularly strain the budget.

Severe Distress

11%

Frequent trade-offs between food, housing, healthcare, and bills.

Severe distress by region

Share of adults in severe affordability distress (higher bar = more strain).

Northeast 9%

Midwest 9%

South 13%

West 12%

Where the strain is most intense

Severe and moderate affordability distress by geography (rural vs metros).

Rural

Severe 13%

Moderate 23%

Mild 24%

Secure 40%

Small Metro

Severe 11%

Moderate 20%

Mild 23%

Secure 46%

Large Metro

Severe 10%

Moderate 17%

Mild 20%

Secure 53%