Poll Reveals Cost of Living Concerns Among AAPI Communities

Thu Jan 22 2026 18:13:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent survey highlights significant anxiety about inflation and living expenses among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, with half advocating for government action on affordability.

The latest poll conducted by AAPI Data indicates that about 50% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders prioritize government action on inflation and high living costs, outpacing the general U.S. adult concern. This heightened sensitivity to costs is evident in larger metropolitan areas where many AAPI families reside. Additionally, healthcare remains a pressing issue for AAPI adults, with many expressing dissatisfaction in government efficacy to address their concerns.

In a recent survey conducted by AAPI Data in early December, concerns over the high cost of living and inflation have emerged as top priorities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Approximately half of the respondents indicated they want the government to focus on these issues, which contrasts sharply with a December poll of the broader U.S. adult population, where only about one-third expressed similar concerns.

The survey reflects a notable trend within the AAPI community, which has grown increasingly concerned about financial stability. Last year, only 40% voiced a desire for government intervention in these matters, highlighting a growing urgency among these populations.

Many individuals within the AAPI demographic, including Jayakumar Natarajan, a tech manager from the San Francisco area, are re-evaluating their financial futures due to escalating living costs, particularly in housing and healthcare. This sentiment is echoed across various states where AAPI populations are concentrated, often in major cities with high living expenses.

The poll revealed that 44% of AAPI adults also want the government to prioritize health care issues, showing a significant alignment with broader national sentiments. The rising cost of healthcare has pushed many, including Srilasya Volam from Atlanta, to explore alternatives such as medical tourism, emphasizing the need for affordable healthcare solutions in the U.S.

Moreover, AAPI adults have become increasingly pessimistic regarding the government’s ability to address these pressing concerns, with around 70% expressing low confidence in governmental progress on critical issues, reflecting a drop in trust since the 2024 elections.

The survey aims to bring visibility to the voices of AAPI communities, often overlooked in national polls due to smaller sample sizes and underrepresentation. Conducted between December 2-8, 2025, the poll sampled 1,029 adults from these communities and has a margin of error of ±4.7 percentage points.