Growing number struggle to pay bills as Trump faces cost of living pressure [View all]

Source: The Independent

Monday 17 November 2025 07:40 EST


A new analysis of consumer data reveals a concerning trend in the United States, with a growing number of households struggling to pay their utility bills, signalling a potential warning for the nation's economy.

According to The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, past due balances owed to utility companies surged by 9.7 per cent annually, reaching an average of $789 between April-June periods of 2024 and 2025. This increase coincides with a 12 per cent jump in monthly energy bills over the same timeframe.

Julie Margetta Morgan, the foundation's president, highlighted the significance of these figures. "Consumers usually prioritise their utility bills along with their mortgages and auto debt," she stated. "The increase in both energy costs and delinquencies may suggest that consumers are falling behind on other bills, too."

“There’s a lot of information out there about rising utility costs, but here we can actually look at what that impact has been on families in terms of how they’re falling behind," Margetta Morgan said.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/century-foundation-trump-cost-living-b2866613.html