As the cost of living continues to rise across the United States, recent surveys reveal that Black Floridians and Michigan voters alike are feeling the squeeze—though their reactions and outlooks are anything but uniform. With affordability issues looming large ahead of the 2026 elections, the pulse of these communities offers a revealing snapshot of economic anxiety, political division, and the enduring challenges of health care and social equity.
In the summer of 2025, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, in partnership with public opinion research firm PerryUndem, conducted a comprehensive survey of over 500 Black adults in Florida. The findings, released on October 21, paint a sobering picture: 45% of respondents reported having less than $500 in savings, and 43% said they don’t have enough money to pay for food and housing. These numbers underscore a widespread sense of financial precarity that has become all too familiar for many families.
"It is not surprising that the major issues impacting Black families in 2025 are directly related to economic security and health care. Our communities already face significant barriers to accessing true Reproductive Justice due to centuries of systemic racism — from deeply rooted inequities within our healthcare system, to a severe lack of representation across industries,” said Regina Davis Moss, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, according to the organization’s statement.
The survey’s results reflect a deep unease about the future, with 76% of Black Floridian respondents fearing that the cost of living will rise under President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, 66% agreed that Black people will lose rights and face increased racial discrimination. Despite these concerns, the data also reveals a complex generational and gender divide. A significant segment of younger Black men—those between the ages of 18 and 44—expressed a more positive outlook on Trump’s 2024 election victory. In fact, 50% of Black men in this age group said they felt positively about Trump’s win, and 44% said they would feel safer and more secure under his presidency. This split hints at a shifting political landscape, where economic frustrations and perceptions of safety are influencing attitudes in unexpected ways.
Policy issues remain front and center for these communities. The survey found that 69% of Black Floridians support legal abortion in all or most cases, reflecting ongoing debates around reproductive rights. Health care access also emerged as a critical concern: 58% said they or a family member had been covered by Medicaid at some point, and of these, a striking 93% called Medicaid important to their families—with 72% labeling it “very important.” Yet, despite the program’s significance, 32% reported having trouble finding Medicaid-participating providers, a gap that underscores persistent barriers to care.
The economic pressures are taking a toll on family planning as well. Among Black women aged 18-44, 54% said they want more children, but just 29% actually plan to have them. The reasons are hardly surprising: rising costs of food, housing, health care, and childcare. These challenges are mirrored in mental health concerns. Sixty-six percent of Black women in this age group reported worrying about their mental health at least once a week, compared to 57% of men the same age. Among those 45 and older, 42% of women and 48% of men reported similar worries. The data suggests that economic stress, uncertainty about the future, and the pressure to provide for families are weighing heavily on mental well-being, especially for young women.
Zooming out, the poll—titled The Lives and Voices of Black Adults Across 10 States—surveyed more than 5,000 Black individuals in Florida, California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The findings from Florida are echoed in other states, especially as the Trump administration’s policies continue to spark debate. "Our new poll demonstrates that these issues have only been further exacerbated by the Trump administration’s all-out assault on our civil rights, with Black communities bearing the brunt of his attacks. The results speak for themselves, and should signal an urgent call to action for state and federal lawmakers to utilize our 2025 Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda as a roadmap for the policy solutions necessary in order for Black women, girls and gender-expansive people to thrive," said Davis Moss.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, the story is strikingly similar—though the focus is squarely on the rising costs of daily living. A poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber and conducted by the Glengariff Group, also released on October 21, found that 76% of registered voters in Michigan said they are paying more for groceries in 2025 than they did in 2024. And it’s not just food: 68% reported higher utility bills, and 60% said they’re shelling out more for car and home insurance compared to the previous year.
These numbers echo the famous 1992 campaign mantra, "It’s the economy, stupid," as reported by the Detroit Free Press. Yet, the poll suggests that economic anxiety is no longer just a campaign slogan—it’s a lived reality for many. For Michigan voters, the rising tide of expenses is prompting a range of reactions, from frustration to resignation. The survey’s results indicate that while most people agree on the facts—prices are up across the board—they’re split on what it all means, and how (or whether) it should shape their political choices.
Back in Florida, the political response to these economic worries is unfolding along familiar partisan lines. Republicans have pledged to pursue property tax cuts, arguing that reducing the tax burden will help struggling families. Democrats, on the other hand, are calling for action on soaring property insurance rates, which have climbed steadily in recent years. Health insurance premiums for plans purchased on the federal exchange are also set to spike unless Congress steps in to restore expiring Obamacare subsidies—a move that could have far-reaching consequences for families already on the edge.
The survey data from both states highlights a sense of urgency—and, for many, a crisis of confidence. Black Floridians, in particular, are grappling with fears that the cost of living will only get worse, and that hard-won rights could be eroded in the coming years. For Michigan voters, the focus is on the here and now: the grocery bill, the utility statement, and the insurance premium. Both groups are united by a sense that the economic ground beneath them is shifting, and that old certainties no longer apply.
As the nation heads toward another pivotal election cycle, these voices and experiences will shape the debates to come. The challenge for policymakers is clear: address the real, everyday struggles of constituents, or risk losing their trust—and their votes. The data leaves little doubt that for many Americans, the stakes have never felt higher.