Money The Cost of a Healthy Lifestyle
In August 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the cost of food at home had increased by 2.7% in the 12 months through July 2026. [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 'Consumer Price Index Summary', 2026 https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm At the same time, wages and salaries rose by just 0.9% between March and June 2026. [2] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 'Employment Cost Index – June 2026', 2026 https://www.bls.gov/NEWS.RELEASE/PDF/ECI.PDF
With food prices continuing to rise faster than wages, many Americans may be feeling the strain on their grocery budgets. This raises an important question about how affordable it is for Americans to maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
To explore the relationship between food costs, finances, healthy eating, and fitness activity, a new survey conducted on behalf of Self Financial asked 1,035 U.S. adults about their diets and financial habits. The findings offer insight into how rising grocery costs may be affecting Americans' ability to afford healthy food and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Key Findings:
- More than a third (36.9%) said they are currently unable to afford a healthy lifestyle, with mental health being the area most affected by financial pressures (28.1%).
- Rising food prices have made it harder for 80.5% of respondents to maintain a healthy diet.
- More than half (53.3%) said they are spending more on groceries now than they were 12 months ago.
- Nearly two-thirds (64.7%) said the cost of food has led them to buy fewer fruits and vegetables.
- Half (50.6%) have skipped meals because of rising food costs, while 57.3% have reduced their portion sizes for the same reason.
- Financial pressures are also making it harder to stay active, with nearly a third (29.4%) saying cost currently prevents them from joining a gym or fitness membership.
How accessible is a healthy lifestyle?
The survey asked participants whether they believe a healthy lifestyle is currently accessible to people on an average income. Just over half (51.5%) said they do not think it is, while 48.5% believe it is accessible.
More than half (51.5%) believe a healthy lifestyle is out of reach on an average income.
When asked whether they could personally afford what they consider to be a healthy lifestyle, almost two-thirds (63.1%) said they could. However, more than one in three (36.9%) said they are currently unable to afford a healthy lifestyle.
More than one in three (36.9%) say they cannot currently afford a healthy lifestyle.
Mental health and stress management have been hit hardest by financial pressures
Participants were also asked which areas of a healthy lifestyle had been most affected by their finances. Mental health and stress management came out on top, with 28.1% saying these areas had been affected the most.
Physical activity and fitness followed closely at 27.5%, while 21.9% said their diet and nutrition had been most affected. Just under one in five (19.9%) said their sleep and rest had taken the biggest hit, while 9.6% pointed to preventive healthcare, such as routine checkups and dental care.
Mental health and stress management have been affected the most by financial pressures, according to 28.1% of survey respondents.
How are rising prices changing grocery choices?
The survey also explored how rising food prices have influenced participants' grocery choices over the past 12 months. For more than two-fifths (44.4%) of respondents, rising prices had a moderate impact on what they bought, while 15.6% said the impact had been significant.
Rising food prices have significantly changed grocery choices for one in six (15.6%).
However, the impact varied across the survey. Around one in five respondents (21.8%) said rising food prices had only slightly influenced their food choices, while 13.3% said they had no impact at all.
| How much has the rising cost of food influenced food choices when grocery shopping in the last 12 months? | |
|---|---|
| How much has the rising cost of food influenced food choices when grocery shopping in the last 12 months? | Percentage of respondents |
| Not at all | 13.3% |
| Slightly | 21.8% |
| Moderately | 44.4% |
| Significantly | 15.6% |
| Completely | 5.0% |
Over a quarter (26.9%) say rising food prices have made it harder to maintain a healthy diet
Participants were also asked whether rising food prices had made it harder for them to maintain a healthy diet over the past 12 months. More than a quarter (26.9%) said rising prices had significantly affected their ability to eat healthily, while 53.6% said they had somewhat affected it. Just 19.5% said rising food prices had not made it harder to maintain a healthy diet.
Rising food prices have made it harder for 80.5% to maintain a healthy diet.
One in ten (10.2%) always compare food prices before buying
When asked how often they compare food prices before making a purchase, one in ten (10.2%) said they always do. A further 19.5% said they often compare prices, while 38.6% said they do so sometimes.
By comparison, 15.2% said they never check food prices before buying, while 16.5% said they rarely do.
One in ten (10.2%) always check food prices before buying.
More than half (53.3%) are spending more on groceries than they did 12 months ago
Participants were asked whether their household is currently spending more, less, or about the same on groceries compared with 12 months ago.
The results show a clear shift in grocery spending. More than half (53.3%) said they are spending more now than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, 21% said they are spending less and 25.7% said their grocery spending has stayed about the same.
Among those spending more, the average increase was $152 per month.
More than half (53.3%) are spending more on groceries than they were 12 months ago, by an average of $152 per month.
Almost two-thirds (64%) are buying less food because of the cost
Among those whose food buying behavior has changed because of cost, 64% said they are now buying less food. Even more (80%) said they are choosing cheaper food overall to keep costs down.
The impact is also being felt in the types of food people buy. Nearly two-thirds (64.7%) said they are buying fewer fruits and vegetables because of the cost.
Almost two thirds (64.7%) are buying fewer fruits and vegetables because of the cost.
The shift extends beyond fresh produce. A striking 71% said they are buying lower-quality cuts of meat or fish, or buying less of them, because of the cost. Meanwhile, 74.5% said they have switched to more processed or packaged foods to save money.
More than half (58%) also said the cost of food has led them to change their diet, such as becoming vegetarian or vegan.
Half (50.6%) have skipped meals due to rising food costs
The rising cost of food is having an impact beyond what people put in their grocery carts. Alarmingly, half (50.6%) of survey respondents said they have skipped meals because of increasing food prices.
Half (50.6%) have skipped meals due to rising food costs.
More than half (57.3%) have also reduced their portion sizes for the same reason, suggesting that higher food costs are affecting not only food choices, but how much people are able to eat.
Cost-cutting is also influencing the products people choose. More than four-fifths (85%) said they have opted for more store-brand or value-range products instead of branded, healthier alternatives because of the cost. Previous research conducted on behalf of Self Financial found that, on average, shoppers can save up to $2,405 per year by making swaps from national brands to Walmart’s Great Value products.
How affordable is staying fit?
The cost of eating healthy is only one side of the equation. The survey also explored how financial pressures are affecting participants' ability to exercise and stay fit, including the cost of gym and fitness memberships.
Almost three in five (59.9%) currently have a gym or fitness membership
When asked whether they currently have a gym or fitness membership, 59.9% said they do, while 40.1% do not have an active membership.
For those with a current membership, the cost is proving difficult to manage. More than three in five (60.2%) said the cost makes it a struggle to keep paying for their membership, while 56% have considered canceling because of the expense.
When asked how much they typically pay each month, the most common response was $51 to $100 (36.8%). The Beauty Spend Report, a previous piece of research conducted on behalf of Self Financial, found that participants paid an average of $110 per month for a gym membership. This sits toward the higher end of the U.S. gym market, where basic gyms can start at around $10 per month, while boutique fitness studios may charge anywhere from $100 to $500 per month. [3] Truemed, 'Gym Membership Prices: A Cost Comparison of Every Major Brand', 2026 https://www.truemed.com/blog/gym-membership-prices
Almost a quarter (23.5%) have canceled a gym membership due to the cost
Among participants who do not currently have a fitness membership, almost a quarter (23.5%) said they have canceled a gym or fitness membership in the past because of the cost.
Financial pressures are also preventing some participants from joining or maintaining a membership altogether. Almost a third (29.4%) said the cost currently prevents them from doing so.
Financial pressures currently prevent almost a third (29.4%) from joining or maintaining a gym membership.
The cost of fitness can affect other activities, too. When asked how often financial concerns prevent them from taking part in sports, fitness, or recreational activities, 33.7% said this sometimes happens, while 5.9% said it happens often. On the other hand, 36.7% said financial concerns never prevent them from taking part.
Interestingly, while 29.4% said financial costs currently prevent them from joining or maintaining a gym membership, removing the cost barrier would not necessarily change their plans. When asked whether they would join a gym or fitness membership if cost were no object, only 32.1% said they would, while 67.9% said they would not.
The affordability gap in keeping fit and healthy
To better understand the financial barriers to a healthy lifestyle, the survey asked participants how much they currently spend on food, supplements, wellness activities, and healthcare. They were then asked how much they would ideally spend if money were no object.
The difference between these figures highlights the affordability gap between what participants can currently spend and what they would like to spend on their health and well-being.
Food and groceries
On average, participants currently spend around $407 per month on food and groceries. However, when asked how much they would choose to spend if money were no object, this figure rose to an average of $497 per month. This represents an affordability gap of $90 per month.
Research conducted on behalf of Self Financial in 2025 found that the average weekly grocery shop in the U.S. costs $132.57 before tax. Over a month, that can amount to around $576.05, which is $169.05 more than the average amount participants in this survey currently spend.
Supplements
Supplements also revealed a notable affordability gap. Participants currently spend an average of $344 per month, but said they would choose to spend around $406 per month if money were no object, creating a $62 monthly gap.
For context, Self Financial's 2026 research into physical health spending found that respondents spent an average of $2,357 per year on their physical health, including expenses such as gym memberships and supplements. This equates to around $196.42 per month, although this figure covers a broader range of physical health expenses than supplements alone.
Wellness activities (i.e., spa, massages)
For wellness activities, such as spa treatments and massages, participants currently spend an average of $388 per month. However, if money were no object, they would choose to spend an average of $458, creating an affordability gap of $70 per month.
Healthcare (i.e., dental, medical, prescriptions)
Healthcare is another important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, covering expenses such as dental care, medical treatment, and prescriptions. Participants currently spend an average of $377 per month on healthcare.
However, they said they would choose to spend an average of $439 per month if money were no object. This creates an affordability gap of $62 per month, suggesting that financial constraints may also be limiting how much participants are able to spend on healthcare.
Methodology
The survey was conducted on behalf of Self Financial in August 2026 and asked 1,035 U.S. adults from a range of backgrounds questions relating to the financial pressures of maintaining their current diet, lifestyles and exercise levels.
For some questions, respondents could select more than one option; therefore, the results do not add up to 100%.
The demographics of the self-identified respondent survey were:
Age:
- 18-28 - 10.8%
- 29-44 - 79.6%
- 45-60 - 9.4%
- 61-79 - 0.2%
Gender:
- Female - 82.4%
- Male - 16.4%
- Non-binary - 0.9%
- Prefer not to say - 0.2%
- Not listed - 0.1%
Sources
- [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 'Consumer Price Index Summary', 2026 https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
- [2] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 'Employment Cost Index – June 2026', 2026 https://www.bls.gov/NEWS.RELEASE/PDF/ECI.PDF
- [3] Truemed, 'Gym Membership Prices: A Cost Comparison of Every Major Brand', 2026 https://www.truemed.com/blog/gym-membership-prices
