The personal savings rate for people in the U.S. reached 3.8%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The rate is the share of disposable personal income that people keep after paying taxes and spending. The bureau's report shows consumer spending in September rose on gasoline, housing, transportation services, health care and insurance.
A Pew Research Center survey also found that many Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities. Rice University's Kinder Institute reported similar findings in early 2026 in its annual Kinder Houston Area Survey. The survey found that 79% of households earning less than $25,000 said they could not cover an unexpected $400 expense.
University of San Diego economics professor Alan Gin said people are spending more, saving less and, in some cases, going into debt, which he attributed to rising costs. Gin said hardship among some households could eventually affect the wider economy and the jobs of people who are doing well. He said he will keep watching inflation, which he said will continue to affect how much the average American can save.