Utahns are more worried about costs rising in the next six months than residents in other states, and that anxiety has been increasing, according to federal data.
About 84% of Utahns surveyed as part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse Survey said they’re at least somewhat worried about prices increasing in the next six months.
That’s 4.4% than the national average and higher than all but seven states.
It’s also up from previous versions of the survey, which the Census Bureau now conducts continuously and releases results for every months.
About 81% of Utahns survey in February said they were worried about prices increasing in the next six months.
The Household Pulse Survey is an experimental program designed to quickly and efficiently deploy data collected on how emergent issues are affecting U.S. households from a social and economic perspective.
It asks a host of questions about social and economic issues, including the cost of living, employment, food security and household energy use.
Utahns surveyed from April 30 to May 27 also were more likely than people in many other states to say they thought prices had increased in the last two months, and to say they had difficulty paying for usual household expenses in the past week.
The Salt Lake Tribune wants to hear from individual Utahns about how they’re dealing with inflation, and whether they’re concerned about future price increases.
Readers can tell their own stories via the form below or at https://forms.gle/8jZqpFHF2yZoR6s8A.
Megan Banta is The Salt Lake Tribune’s data enterprise reporter, a philanthropically supported position. The Tribune retains control over all editorial decisions.
Follow @MeganBanta_1