Gallup: 67% of Americans Say Gas Prices Causing a 'Hardship,' 55% Altering Vacation Plans

(CNS News) –– A new survey shows that high gas prices are causing “severe” and “moderate” hardships for Americans, and that at least 55% of Americans are altering their summer vacation plans because of the gasoline prices.

In the June 1-20 poll, Gallup asked, “Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or your household?”

In response, 22% said the prices were causing a “severe hardship” and 45% said a “moderate hardship.”  Gallup combined the two percentages for a 67% “total hardship.”

The 67% is up from 52% in April, when Gallup asked the same question. Gallup noted, “Although more Americans say they are experiencing “moderate” rather than “severe” hardship, the percentage describing the hardship as severe has risen from 14% to 22%.”

On June 14, the nationwide average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline was $5.016. When President Trump left office in January 2021, the average price of a gallon of gasoline (all formulations) was $2.37, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

Commenting further on the survey results, Gallup said that the gas-price hardship is “strongly related to household income,” and added the following,

• Eight in 10 adults in lower-income households — those earning less than $40,000 per year — say the rise in gas prices has caused them financial hardship, with 40% saying it has been severe.
• Nearly as many households making between $40,000 and $99,999 — 73% — report a hardship, although just 20% say it has been severe.
• Half of households earning $100,000 or more report a hardship due to gas prices, with 12% calling it severe.

Because of the high gas prices, the survey found that 62% of Americans said they are driving less than they usually would this summer.

Also, 55% of Americans “say the price of gas is causing them to alter their summer vacation plans,” reported Gallup. 

In addition, Americans’ economic confidence currently is a negative 58.

“Today’s -58 ECI [Economic Confidence Index] score represents a substantially negative skew in public opinion about the economy and is the lowest measured since a -64 reading in February 2009,” said the survey firm.  “At the time, the country was still embroiled in the 2007-2009 recession and confidence was starting to recover after hitting the all-time low of -72 in October 2008.”

To read the survey, click here. 

From CNSNews - READ ORIGINAL

Some media, including videos, may only be available to view at the original.