Newsweek Index Shows Blue States Lag Red States on Cost of Living, 24.1 vs 74.7
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Jul 27
Newsweek Index Shows Blue States Lag Red States on Cost of Living, 24.1 vs 74.7
1 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Jul 27
Summary
Newsweek’s American Dream Index found households are struggling most on cost of living in Hawaii at 24.1, California at 25.2 and New York at 27.7, while North Dakota scored 74.7, Iowa 74.3 and South Dakota 72.1.
The gap matters politically because inflation, groceries and gas remain central voter concerns ahead of the midterms, with 44% calling U.S. economic conditions poor in Gallup’s latest survey.
Fox News polling from July 17-20 showed 54% of registered voters trust Democrats more on the economy versus 45% for Republicans, while 67% disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy.
The index measures 33,772 ZIP codes across six pillars, and the report notes cost of living is only one factor: blue states such as Hawaii, California and New York score better on economic mobility and education.