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71% of middle-income Americans say their income can't keep up with cost of living, survey finds
Summary by The Detroit Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Scripps News Group , WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
A new survey from Primerica finds 71% of middle-income Americans say their income cannot keep up with the cost of living, painting a stark picture of financial stress still gripping millions of families. The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budg...
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Summary created by The Detroit Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Scripps News Group, WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budgets.
Why this matters in The Detroit
In Detroit, where the cost of living is relatively low compared to other major cities, the survey's findings still resonate deeply. Many middle-income families in the area are likely feeling the pinch, particularly when it comes to affording basic necessities like healthcare. The fact that more than half of respondents have put off medical or dental care is troubling, given the city's history of health disparities. Furthermore, the survey's results on retirement savings are a concern for Detroit's aging population, many of whom may be relying on fixed incomes or limited savings to get by. As Glenn Williams notes, delaying savings can have steep long-term costs, making it crucial for families to reassess their priorities and find ways to start saving for the future, even if it means trimming luxuries from their budgets. This will be especially important for Detroiters who want to ensure a secure retirement and maintain their quality of life.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A new survey from Primerica finds 71% of middle-income Americans say their income cannot keep up with the cost of living, painting a stark picture of financial stress still gripping millions of families. The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budg...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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