The Pinch
Demographics indicator
What is the current The Pinch?
Difficulty Paying Usual Household Expenses: 22.8% as of 2026-03-30. Source: Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey.
Explore Further
How has The Pinch changed over time?
Most affected counties
Counties with the highest safety net and buffer scores in the County Distress Index.
Explore all 3,144 counties →| Period | Value | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 22.8% | — |
| Jun 2025 | 19.8% | — |
| Sep 2024 | 37.1% | −0.2 pts |
| Aug 2024 | 37.4% | −1.5 pts |
| Jul 2024 | 37.4% | −0.4 pts |
| Jun 2024 | 37% | −1.6 pts |
| May 2024 | 36.5% | −2.0 pts |
| Apr 2024 | 36.4% | −2.1 pts |
| Apr 2024 | 35.7% | −3.0 pts |
| Mar 2024 | 36.2% | −2.3 pts |
| Feb 2024 | 36% | −3.7 pts |
| Oct 2023 | 40.8% | −0.1 pts |
How to read this series
The source changed how it measures this in Jun 2025. The Household Pulse Survey ended cross-sectional collection in September 2024 and relaunched inside the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey as a longitudinal panel. Readings before and after sit on different samples. Readings on either side are not directly comparable, so the year-over-year column stays blank where a comparison would cross that date. Source documentation.
The source changed how it measures this in Mar 2026. Census widened the question's recall window from the last 7 days to the last two months, and returned the survey to a cross-sectional design. A longer window counts more households, so the level steps up on the wording alone. Readings on either side are not directly comparable, so the year-over-year column stays blank where a comparison would cross that date. Source documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Difficulty Paying Usual Household Expenses?
Demographics indicator
Why does Difficulty Paying Usual Household Expenses matter for financial distress?
Difficulty Paying Usual Household Expenses is one of the indicators tracked by the American Distress Index (ADI), which measures five dimensions of U.S. household financial distress: Delinquency, Default & Legal, Debt Burden, Labor, and Safety Net & Buffer. Changes in this indicator contribute to the overall distress picture.
Where does the Difficulty Paying Usual Household Expenses data come from?
This data comes from Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. More information: https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html. The American Distress Index updates this indicator biweekly.
Quick poll
Is this affecting you or your household?
Discussion
Get the numbers when they move.
New data drops, indicator updates, and ADI score changes — delivered when it matters. No spam.
or Create an Account for full access
Loading comments…