Primerica HBI: Middle-Income Purchasing Power Edges Up in July as Wage Growth Lags Inflation

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 27, 2026

Primerica's Household Budget Index rose to 100.5% in July, up 0.4% from both June and a year ago, signaling slight improvement in purchasing power for middle-income Americans. Average earned income grew 2.1% year-over-year, while necessity costs — including food, utilities, gas, auto insurance, and healthcare — rose 3.7% over the same period, outpacing wage gains. Lower gas prices for a second consecutive month provided modest budget relief. For staffing firms, the data reflects continued wage pressure on the workforce segment most likely to seek temp and contract placements.