Grocery bills are weighing heavily on the minds and wallets of many Americans. In a new poll, nearly half of adults said the rising cost of food was adding stress to their everyday lives, turning routine trips to the store into a source of financial strain.
Grocery bills adding stress for Americans
The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released a report that shows 53% of adults said grocery expenses are a major cause of stress in their lives. In comparison, 33% said it causes minor stress. The poll conducted in early July included 1,437 adults interviewed by phone and online.
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Staples like bread and milk reflect ongoing pressure
Grocery prices continue to strain many budgets, with staples like milk and bread showing steady cost increases over the past year. In June 2025, the average price of white pan bread in U.S. cities was $1.86 per pound, down slightly from a peak of $1.98 in July 2024. A gallon of whole milk averaged $4.06 in June, remaining above $4 since late 2023.
In total, 75% of adults reported that one or more financial pressures, like housing, income or food costs, are causing them major stress. Among that group, many are turning to short-term financial tools to get by.
Buy Now, Pay Later: A growing option for struggling families
19% of adults who are financially stressed said they’ve used deferred payment services, commonly known as “Buy Now, Pay Later,” to cover grocery costs. Typically, these are platforms like Klarna, Afterpay or Affirm.
Overall, 29% of adults said they’ve used these services at some point to pay for food, health care, entertainment or meals out. However, the use is far more common among those under age 45 and among people feeling the greatest financial pressure.
For example, 21% of people who reported experiencing any major stress said they have used Buy Now, Pay Later services to pay for medical or dental care. That compares with just 8% of people who reported minor or no financial stress.
