Updated
Updated · Greenville News · Aug 4
67% of South Carolinians Struggle With Grocery Costs as Housing and Utilities Deepen Stress
Updated
Updated · Greenville News · Aug 4

67% of South Carolinians Struggle With Grocery Costs as Housing and Utilities Deepen Stress

3 articles · Updated · Greenville News · Aug 4

Summary

  • 67% of South Carolinians say groceries are difficult or very difficult to afford, while nearly 59% struggle with housing and health care costs, according to a Winthrop poll.
  • Two-thirds of Americans say the rising cost of living is hitting their households, and voters blame rising prices over stagnant wages by a nearly 4-to-1 margin, a Global Strategy Group survey found.
  • 63% of Americans name groceries as a top financial stressor, with energy spikes, drought, tariffs, conflict and supply-chain disruptions all pushing food prices higher in 2026.
  • 65% of respondents want costs lowered immediately, and majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans support government action against price gouging and stronger regulation.
  • The findings add to broader evidence of a national affordability crisis, with food, housing and utility bills increasingly weighing on household budgets and economic mobility.

Insights

Why do nearly two-thirds of Americans feel economic progress is impossible despite employers offering more diverse benefits than ever before?
If the American Dream isn't just about wealth, why is the rising cost of living completely destroying momentum for older generations?
With young adults facing severe mental health barriers, what hidden costs are companies ignoring by only providing basic health insurance?