The State of Household Finances: American Money Across 5 States

However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. This survey examines household finances across California, Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas. Published Aug 4, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesHow to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They WorkHow to Budget Money in 5 Steps28 Proven Ways to Save MoneyOur perspectives on money are shaped by numerous factors, including where we live. In a country of over 331 million people, there are bound to be unique financial situations. A recent NerdWallet survey conducted by YouGov in June 2026 examined how finances across five of the most populous states differ. We asked about everything from savings to raising children, credit cards to college. As it turns out, people in California, Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas are coping with many of the same concerns, as well as some more unique to the places they live. On this pageBack to top ↑On this page╳Managing the costs of living Saving for the future Credit cards and debt Raising a family Higher educationCosts of housing Travel and credit card rewards Managing the costs of living Affordability is a concern across households in 2026. Roughly 2 in 5 adults in Georgia (40%) and New York (39%) say they’ve stressed about their ability to cover basic living expenses within the last 12 months. Not having enough money for essentials can drive people to rely on debt, and in the worst scenarios, overdraw their accounts.Some residents may recognize that the costs in their state specifically are inflated when compared with others. For example, 20% of California and New York adults say they’ve considered moving to another state due to the cost of living in the last 12 months. »MORE: Money Management: Taking Control of Your FinancesSaving for the future It can be difficult to plan for the future when you’re struggling with today’s costs. Unfortunately, roughly one in five respondents don’t have a financial plan in place for their family, across all states surveyed. Still, 30% of Californians and 31% of Texans are able to regularly save a portion of their income. MORE: Savings Goal CalculatorCredit cards and debt Credit cards can be a useful tool if you’re able to pay off your balance each month. But used in place of an emergency fund or to live beyond your means, high credit card interest rates can make getting out of debt very difficult. Further, that debt may carry a stigma: One-in-five adults in Georgia (20%) have felt embarrassed about their current level of credit card debt in the past 12 months.MORE: 10 Ways to Pay Off Credit Card DebtRaising a family The costs of raising a child are many, and these costs are motivating some would-be parents to forgo a family altogether. Across the country, the average annual costs of childcare for just one child reached over $13,000 in 2025, according to Child Care Aware. And across the states we surveyed, some parents can’t afford childcare at all.Higher educationMany people choose to go to college in order to boost their lifetime earning power, but not everyone is convinced their higher education is translating to a higher salary.MORE: Student Loan Repayment Plans: Recent Changes, Current OptionsCosts of housing Half of Californians say home prices are out of control in their state, according to the survey. And among many residents who already own their homes, homeowners insurance is a rising concern.Travel and credit card rewards Despite affordability challenges across housing, raising a family and the general costs of living, Americans across states continue to spend on travel. Though some are adjusting those plans due to rising costs. METHODOLOGY This survey was commissioned by NerdWallet and conducted online by YouGov on June 3-14, 2026. Respondents included 5,087 U.S. adults within the following states: California (1,017), Florida (1,010), Georgia (1,016), New York (1,006) and Texas (1,038). The figures are weighted to be representative of the total adult populations in those states. For complete survey details including subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].Disclaimer NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.Explore more onThe Financial Glow UpMoney News You Can UseMaking MoneyPaying Your BillsPersonal FinanceAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539NMLS Consumer Access |Licenses and Disclosures California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812 Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #603L288 You also can open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage which allows you to earn interest on your cash through a cash sweep program. View Important Cash Account Disclosures. Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged. NerdWallet™ | 4150 N Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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