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71% of middle-income Americans say their income can't keep up with cost of living, survey finds
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Scripps News Group , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
A new survey from Primerica finds 71% of middle-income Americans say their income cannot keep up with the cost of living, painting a stark picture of financial stress still gripping millions of families. The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budg...
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Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Scripps News Group, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budgets.
Why this matters in The Nashville
In Nashville, where the cost of living continues to rise, the findings of this survey are particularly concerning. Many middle-income families in Davidson County are likely feeling the same financial strain, with little to no wiggle room in their budgets. The fact that over half of respondents have stopped saving for the future and put off medical or dental care is alarming, as it can have long-term consequences for their health and financial stability. As Glenn Williams noted, delaying savings, especially for retirement, can carry a steep long-term cost. For Nashville residents, this means that making tough decisions about priorities and finding ways to begin saving for retirement is crucial. The city's growing economy and job market may not be enough to keep up with the rising cost of living, making it essential for families to reassess their budgets and make adjustments to ensure they are preparing for the future.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A new survey from Primerica finds 71% of middle-income Americans say their income cannot keep up with the cost of living, painting a stark picture of financial stress still gripping millions of families. The survey also finds 66% of respondents say they have little to no wiggle room in their budg...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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