Economic Strain Across Partisan Lines Revealed in Prosper Insights Survey

Prosper Insights & Analytics, a data and predictive analytics company, has released findings from its October 2026 Monthly Consumer Survey that reveal significant economic dissatisfaction among American voters, potentially influencing the 2026 election. The research highlights that financial strain is not limited to one political affiliation, with even Republicans experiencing increased financial sacrifices.

According to the survey, only 33.2% of Independents and 28.5% of Democrats expressed confidence in a strong economy over the next six months, compared to 60.3% of Republicans. Additionally, 53.0% of Independents and 67.7% of Democrats disagreed that the economy was on the right track, compared to 21.5% of Republicans. Approximately 41.2% of Independents and 45.4% of Democrats reported spending less because of the economy, compared to 32.4% of Republicans. These figures suggest that economic concerns are widespread, transcending traditional partisan divisions.

Gasoline prices have emerged as a significant factor in household spending. Between October 2025 and October 2026, the percentage of consumers reporting that fluctuating gasoline prices had no major impact on their spending declined sharply. Among Democrats, this percentage dropped from 36.8% to 21.8%. For Republicans, it fell from 44.9% to 32.7%, and for Independents, it decreased from 44.7% to 29.4%. These changes indicate that higher gasoline prices are affecting consumer behavior across the political spectrum.

The research also found that gasoline prices are having a broader impact on household spending. Among Independents, the percentage reducing restaurant visits because of gasoline prices increased from 20.2% to 29.2%, while those reducing vacation travel rose from 18.3% to 25.3%.

Consumers are also postponing discretionary purchases due to economic pressures. During October 2026, 46.5% of Democrats, 43.6% of Independents, and 38.5% of Republicans postponed dining out. Approximately three in ten consumers across all political groups deferred travel spending. Entertainment and home improvement purchases were also affected, with 27.2% of Democrats, 25.9% of Independents, and 21.7% of Republicans postponing spending in these areas.

Perceptions of higher prices for everyday necessities are also contributing to economic frustration. Among Independents, 65.0% reported noticing gasoline price increases, 63.5% cited higher meat, poultry, and fish prices, and 59.6% reported higher fresh produce prices.

Republican confidence in the economy has also declined, despite continued optimism. While Republicans remained more optimistic about the economy, their confidence in a strong economy declined from 66.2% in October 2025 to 60.3% in October 2026. Similarly, the percentage believing the economy was on the right track fell from 60.4% to 53.2%.

Social media may have amplified economic concerns. Analysis of Prosper's 2026 Media Behaviors & Influence (MBI) study found that 22.1% of U.S. adults identified Facebook as a source of political news, highlighting the platform's reach in political information consumption.

In conclusion, Prosper's research suggests that persistent affordability concerns, reduced discretionary spending, and dissatisfaction with political leadership created conditions that may have contributed to the 2026 election's political environment. The company emphasizes that its findings identify economic conditions potentially relevant to election outcomes but do not establish individual voting behavior, turnout, or the extent to which economic concerns influenced election results.