Half of Americans Live Paycheck to Paycheck, and 74% Expect No Relief in The Year Ahead

Living beyond their means has become the norm for many Americans, but homeowners (42%) are less likely than non-homeowners (61%) to live paycheck to paycheck.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Half of Americans (50%) currently live paycheck to paycheck, and three-quarters (74%) believe they will still be living that way a year from now, according to a new report from Clever Real Estate, a nationwide discount real estate broker where sellers can compare full-service, low-commission real estate agents near them and save money on their next sale.

That financial strain tracks closely with homeownership. Two-thirds of homeowners (68%) say they are satisfied with their finances, versus 47% of non-homeowners.

More than 1 in 4 Americans surveyed (27%) describe themselves as overspenders. Fewer than half of overspenders (49%) own a home, compared to 62% of those who don't overspend.

Non-homeowners are far more likely than homeowners to blame housing costs for their money troubles (39% versus 22%) and twice as likely to lack an emergency fund (61% versus 30%).

Homeowners actually spend more on nonessentials than non-homeowners, with 30% spending at least $500 a month compared to 18% of non-homeowners. About 20% of homeowners have delayed home repairs due to their spending habits, rising to 35% of those who describe themselves as overspenders.

About 44% of Americans have missed a bill because of overspending on nonessentials, and 51% have had to delay major life milestones, including 72% of Gen Z. Roughly 10% of Americans have put off buying a home and 19% have delayed saving for retirement.

Two-thirds of Americans (68%) carry non-mortgage debt, and more than a quarter (29%) owe at least $10,000. Among self-described overspenders, that figure climbs to 86% in non-mortgage debt, with 45% owing $10,000 or more.

About 88% of Americans admit to making impulse purchases, and nearly 1 in 4 (22%) have spent $1,000 or more on a single purchase. More than half of Americans (59%) admit they have knowingly made a purchase they couldn't afford, and 51% shop spontaneously at least once a month.

About one-third (33%) of respondents say money buys happiness, and 31% admit they prioritize short-term gratification over long-term stability. Similarly, 32% say their lifestyle costs more than they earn.

About 68% of Americans, including 97% of overspenders, have regrets about their spending habits. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) go as far as to say their spending has ruined their life. Roughly 61% have lost sleep over their finances, 46% have cried over their spending, and 24% are afraid to check their bank accounts.

Younger generations struggle the most, with about 49% of Gen Z and 39% of millennials calling themselves overspenders, compared to just 12% of baby boomers.

Overall, most Americans recognize the problem and want to change course. About 86% of those surveyed, including 96% of overspenders, have already tried to rein in their spending.

Read the full report at: https://listwithclever.com/research/spending-habits-2026

About Clever Real Estate
Clever Real Estate allows sellers to compare top-rated discount real estate brokers and low-commission realtors in their local area. Clever's content reaches over 12 million readers annually, and its nationwide agent matching service has a 4.9-star Trustpilot rating across more than 4,400 customer reviews. Since launching in 2017, Clever has reached over $16.8 billion in real estate sold, matched over 254,000 customers with realtors, and saved consumers over $250 million on commission fees. Clever's network spans over 13,000 agents across all 50 states.

CONTACT:
Nicole Lehman
Clever Real Estate
724-719-0406
[email protected]

SOURCE Clever Real Estate