Over 40% of Ohio households struggle to make ends meet, new study finds
New research reveals 73% of single-parent households in Ohio cannot cover basic expenses as affordability becomes key midterm issue.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — More than 40% of Ohio households cannot make ends meet as prices for gas, utilities, and groceries continue rising, according to a new analysis that reveals the scope of financial hardship across the state heading into this year’s midterm elections.
The Brookings Institution study found that 73% of Ohio single-parent households are unable to cover basic expenses, highlighting how the affordability crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. The analysis shows financial stress has become one of the most pressing political issues as voters prepare for November’s midterm races.
Crisis Spans More Than a Decade
The think tank’s research reveals the affordability problem extends back to at least 2014, affecting a substantial portion of the population over more than a decade. People of color and single parents face particularly severe challenges in meeting basic living costs.
The analysis was published last week as the first installment in a series titled “States of Affordability,” which examines where and why U.S. households struggle financially. The study provides county-level data to show how the crisis varies across different regions.
Beyond Housing Costs
“This mix of states shows that although headlines often focus on the cost of housing in big cities such as New York City and San Francisco, affordability crises emerge from a variety of pressures depending on the state or region, such as stagnant wages, child care costs, transportation burdens, and weak job markets,” the Brookings Institution stated.
Researchers calculated living costs by combining expenses for housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and miscellaneous necessities like utilities for different household types, ranging from single adults to larger families with children.
The study did not include student loan and medical debt in its calculations, suggesting the actual number of households struggling financially could be even higher than the reported figures.
Political Implications
The findings come as Ohio voters prepare for midterm elections where economic concerns are expected to dominate campaign discussions. Rising costs for everyday necessities have created widespread financial stress that candidates from both parties will likely need to address.
The affordability crisis, affecting more than two in five Ohio households, indicates that economic policy proposals may play a central role in determining electoral outcomes this fall.
The Brookings analysis provides state and local policymakers with detailed data about which communities face the greatest financial pressures, potentially informing targeted relief efforts and policy solutions ahead of the November elections.
