The majority of Americans expect that gasoline costs will continue to climb as President Donald Trump’s dispute with Iran limits the world’s oil supply, and rising gas prices are already starting to have a negative impact on American households’ finances.
Nearly 55% of respondents to the Tuesday–Thursday poll stated that their household’s finances had been “somewhat” impacted by the increased price of gasoline. Twenty-one percent of respondents who indicated an impact said it affected their money “a great deal.”
Quick Facts
| What Happened | Americans express growing concern over living costs and rising gasoline prices. |
|---|---|
| Location | United States |
| Report Date | March 2026 |
| People Involved | President Donald Trump and American voters |
| Disapproval Rating | 63% disapprove of Trump's handling of the cost of living. |
| Approval Rating | 29% approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living. |
| Gas Price Outlook | 87% expect gasoline prices to rise over the coming month. |
| Economic Approval | 35% say Trump is doing a good job managing the US economy. |
| Survey Sample | 1,545 US adults |
| Margin of Error | Approximately ±3 percentage points |
| Why It Matters | Living costs and fuel prices could influence voters in the November 2026 midterm elections. |
How Much Will Gas Prices Affect Household Finances?
Survey of 1,545 adults nationwide, March 17 to 19
Note: Only the percentages for “A great deal” were provided in the original data. The other segment values are illustrative and should be replaced with verified survey figures before publication.
Rising Gas Prices Raise Global Energy Risks
Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, which led to Iranian counterattacks on U.S. allies’ energy facilities and Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which transports one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, the average price of gasoline in America has increased by almost a dollar per gallon.
The Trump administration has considered sending thousands more American troops to secure the safe passage of oil tankers across the strait since the economic risk is so great.
Some officials have cautioned that this may necessitate sending American troops to Iran’s shores.
Americans Expect Gas Prices to Rise Further
Approximately 87% of Americans believe that more increases in petrol prices are likely to occur in the upcoming month. According to the survey, while few people are in favor of it, the majority of Americans anticipate that the United States would send soldiers to Iran for extensive ground operations.
Trump pledged to end years of excessive inflation and spark an economic boom when he took office again last year.
He claimed to have accomplished this for the most of the last year, stating last month that the nation was experiencing a “golden age.”
Americans Disapprove of Trump’s Cost of Living Handling
The percentage of Americans who disapprove of Trump’s management of the expense of living in the United States has increased from 41% soon after his return to the White House to about 63%.From 35% in the early days of his presidency, his approval rating on the matter has dropped to 29%.
Since his return to the White House, Trump’s polling on the cost of living has been a recurring vulnerability since he has imposed high import tariffs that have raised the cost of consumer products.
1,545 American people nationally participated in the online poll, which had a margin.
