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Do nearly two-thirds of Americans say they live paycheck to paycheck?

By Tom Kertscher
YES

Three national polls done in 2024 found nearly two-thirds of Americans said they are living paycheck to paycheck.

That means 66% said they spend as much as they earn each month making it difficult to save for the future, a MarketWatch Guides survey found.

The figure was 65% in a poll by CNBC and SurveyMonkey and 65% in a PYMNTS Intelligence report.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin claimed July 16, 2024, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that under President Joe Biden, “66% of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck.”

Similar 2024 polls found lower percentages.

58% of registered voters in a NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll said they are living paycheck to paycheck.

40% of Americans said they are unable to plan beyond their next paycheck, according to a National True Cost of Living Coalition-commissioned poll.

A Bankrate poll of workers found 34% said they are living paycheck to paycheck.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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