U.S. median household income hit a record $87,460 in 2025, up 2.6% from $85,210 in 2024, according to Census Bureau data. However, the gains were uneven, with lower-income earners seeing minimal changes while top earners' income surged 121% over 58 years. Meanwhile, August 2026 data showed gasoline prices up 27.4% year-over-year, shelter up 3.0%, and food prices up 2.7%, significantly eroding household purchasing power.