# Fox News Poll: Cost of living pushes voters toward Democrats > A new Fox News survey shows economic hardship is reshaping the political landscape, with Democrats gaining ground on inflation and Republicans struggling with voter confidence. - Title: Fox News Poll: Cost of living pushes voters toward Democrats - Summary: A new Fox News survey shows economic hardship is reshaping the political landscape, with Democrats gaining ground on inflation and Republicans struggling… - Keywords: fox news poll, 2026 election, cost of living, inflation, economy, democrats, republicans, voter sentiment, trump approval, congressional ballot, news, politics - Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-squeezed-costs-frustrated-voters-turn-democrats - Author: Dana Blanton - Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: fox news poll, 2026 election, cost of living, inflation, economy, democrats, republicans, voter sentiment, trump approval, congressional ballot, news, politics ## Three-quarters of voters see economy in crisis Roughly 75% of voters have rated economic conditions negatively for the past year, and more than three times as many say they're falling behind financially as getting ahead. ## Gas and healthcare costs hit record hardship levels 61% say gas prices are a major problem, up from 48% two years ago. Healthcare costs jumped to 52% from 44%, while 62% cite grocery prices and 54% cite housing as major hardships. ## Democrats win on inflation by wide margin By a wide margin, Democrats are considered the party better able to handle inflation at a time when cost of living and the economy are voters' top concerns. ## Tariffs seen as hurting the economy 64% say tariffs hurt the U.S. economy, up from 57% last summer. Most Democrats and independents agree, while Republican views are mixed with 41% saying tariffs help. ## Nearly two-thirds blame Trump for economic decline 63% say the Trump administration has made the economy worse, including a quarter of Republicans. This widespread dissatisfaction is driving voter frustration across party lines. ## Pessimism about future reaches near-record high 68% now say life will be worse for the next generation, up from 53% two years ago. This reflects deepening concerns about economic opportunity and quality of life. ## Anger at government hits record levels 68% are unhappy with how government is working, with 33% saying they're angry. Anger is driven by 56% of Democrats and 36% of independents versus just 9% of Republicans. ## Democrats lead generic ballot by 7 points 51% would back the Democratic candidate in their House district versus 44% for Republicans. The 7-point edge is just outside the margin of error, with Democrats' advantage consistent since January. ## Trump's approval rating trails predecessors Trump's 39% job approval is his lowest since April and trails Biden's 43% at this point in 2022. His 24% approval on inflation matches a previous low, and his 24-point net negative favorability is unchanged since July. ## Trump endorsement now hurts more than helps 51% say a Trump endorsement makes them less likely to support a candidate, up from a 15-point margin four years ago. Only 25% say it makes them more likely to support someone. ## Majority backs taxing wealthy to help programs 65% support raising taxes on the wealthy to expand government programs, and 63% support it to redistribute wealth. Yet 57% say capitalism doesn't give people a fair shot, up from 42% in 2019. ## Both parties viewed unfavorably by voters The Democratic Party is underwater by 11 points with 44% favorable and 55% unfavorable. The Republican Party is worse at 41% favorable and 58% unfavorable, showing broad voter dissatisfaction. ## Cost of living dominates voter concerns When asked unprompted about the most important issue facing the country, 34% cite cost of living and 14% cite the economy or jobs. Immigration and Trump rank far behind at 8% and 7% respectively. ## Key takeaway Voters squeezed by everyday costs are turning to Democrats to handle the economy, while Trump's low approval rating and negative favorability are becoming a liability for Republican candidates.