A year into his second term, President Trump faces a country focused less on rhetoric and more on results. Americans’ top concerns center on the cost of living and inflation, followed by the economy and health care, according to the latest nationwide TIPP Poll. Immigration and border security rank next, reflecting continued pressure for enforcement and control, while trade policy and U.S. manufacturing draw modest attention relative to top economic concerns.
Despite sharp partisan differences in emphasis, voters across the political spectrum share a clear sense of urgency on economic strain and governance. These concerns are likely to shape the political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Cost of living and inflation dominate Americans’ concerns. Thirty-five percent of respondents say it is among the top three issues facing the country, making it the most prominent concern. The economy (28%) and health care (25%) rank second and third, respectively, forming a distinct top tier.
These findings are from the latest nationwide TIPP Poll, conducted in early January among 1,478 adults. Respondents were asked: “What are the top three issues facing the country?”
Beyond the top three, several issues continue to draw meaningful attention. Immigration and border security (19%) and trust in government, corruption, and transparency (18%) lead the next group, followed by crime (14%), homelessness (13%), home affordability (12%), and national debt and federal government spending (12%).
A broad middle tier includes threats to democracy (11%), terrorism and national security (11%), lack of unity and division in the country (11%), and gun violence and gun control (11%), along with trade policy, tariffs, and U.S. manufacturing (10%) and U.S. intervention in Venezuela and foreign entanglements (10%).
Lower on the priority list are mental health (8%), climate change (8%), and the Russia–Ukraine situation and global security (6%). Issues such as education and student debt (4%), racial justice (4%), corporate power and Big Tech (4%), China–U.S. relations (4%), and abortion (4%) receive comparatively limited attention.
At the bottom of the rankings are energy policy (2%) and the Israel–Hamas conflict (2%), underscoring how economic pressures currently outweigh foreign policy and long-term structural issues in the public mind.
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Priorities and concerns varied along party and ideological lines.
Democrats are most focused on the cost of living and inflation (35%) and health care (34%), which clearly stand apart from other issues. The economy (25%) and trust in government, corruption, and transparency (24%) form a second tier of concern, followed by threats to democracy (19%). Issues such as immigration (11%), crime (10%), and national debt (6%) rank notably lower among Democratic respondents.
Republicans prioritize economic pressures as well, led by cost of living and inflation (30%) and the economy (28%), but place nearly equal emphasis on immigration and border security (28%). Secondary concerns include health care (19%), crime (18%), terrorism and national security (18%), and national debt and federal spending (15%), reflecting a broader focus on security and fiscal issues.
Independents closely track Republicans on economic stress, with cost of living and inflation (39%) and the economy (32%) topping their list. Health care (24%), trust in government (20%), and immigration and border security (18%) round out their leading concerns. Compared with partisans, independents show a more even spread across issues, with fewer sharp drop-offs after the top tier.
Top Economic Issues
Responses to the question, “What are the top three economic issues facing the country?” reveal that Americans across the spectrum are facing the brunt of rising costs.
Food prices top Americans’ economic concerns. Thirty-six percent of respondents cite food prices as one of the top three economic issues facing the country, followed by inflation (32%) and health insurance and medical costs (27%), forming a clear top tier.
Beyond the top three, cost pressures remain front and center. Wages not keeping up with the cost of living (22%) ranks next, followed by tariffs and trade policy (18%). Concerns about household stability are also prominent, including household financial insecurity—such as the ability to pay bills or maintain savings (15%) and home affordability (15%).
Fiscal and macroeconomic issues form a broad middle tier. Government spending (13%) and the national debt or growing federal deficit (12%) draw notable attention, alongside tax rates (11%) and fears of a recession (11%). Labor-market concerns such as a lack of good jobs (10%) and gasoline prices (10%) also register at double-digit levels.
Lower on the list are rising interest rates (7%), layoffs (5%), dependence on foreign supply chains and energy (5%), competition with China and U.S. global competitiveness (5%), and supply-chain disruptions (5%). Issues such as labor shortages (4%), small-business survival (4%), loss of retirement savings (4%), and stock-market volatility (3%) receive limited attention, while concerns about student debt, banking system stability, and access to credit rank near the bottom.
Direction Of Country
Each month, the TIPP Poll probes the general sentiment about the country’s direction using the survey question, "In general, how satisfied are you with the direction that the country is going in at this time?"
The latest poll shows that Americans have mixed feelings about the country’s direction. 44% of respondents are satisfied, while 54% are dissatisfied. Republicans are the most optimistic, with 75% expressing satisfaction, while Democrats are the least satisfied, with 77% dissatisfied. Independents fall in between, with 33% satisfied and 63% dissatisfied.
The survey also produces a compact index from responses to the above question. The Index ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 50 or above is positive, below 50 is negative, and 50 is neutral.
Overall, the Index slipped into negative territory in September 2021 and remained below 50 for 45 consecutive months through May 2025. It finally moved back into positive territory in June 2025, rising to 50.5, before easing again in the second half of the year. As of January 2026, the Index remains below the neutral mark at 44.4.
Republicans are the most optimistic, with a high score of 70.8. Democrats have the lowest optimism rating at 24.9, indicating extreme pessimism. Independents are in between at 36.9.
The sharp spike in optimism among Republicans and the steep decline among Democrats coincided with President Trump's election, marking a clear partisan shift in sentiment. The flip highlights the deep partisan divide prevalent in the country.
Taken together, the findings point to a country united more by shared economic pressure than by political agreement. While Americans differ sharply on priorities by party, concerns about affordability, economic stability, and effective governance cut across political and ideological lines. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, voters appear less focused on abstract debates and more on whether leaders can deliver tangible improvements to their everyday lives.
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editor-tippinsights@technometrica.com
