Everything costs more these days. Prices for everyday items have climbed faster than most people’s paychecks. Even with small wage increases, many households are still falling behind. Here are nine common expenses that have nearly doubled in five years, reshaping how Americans budget and spend.
Groceries
Food prices have risen across the board, but staples like eggs, bread, and meat have seen the sharpest increases. Supply chain issues, extreme weather, and labor shortages have all contributed. Families are buying less, cooking more creatively, and prioritizing sales just to keep grocery bills under control.
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Rent
The cost of renting has surged, especially in cities and growing suburbs. Remote work fueled competition for larger spaces, while limited housing supply drove prices even higher. For many renters, housing now eats up a third or more of their income, making it harder to save or plan for the future.
Childcare
Childcare costs have doubled in many regions as wages, rent, and insurance for providers have risen. Families are struggling to afford full-time care, often relying on relatives or flexible work schedules. For many parents, childcare expenses now rival their mortgage or rent payments.
Auto Insurance
Car insurance premiums have climbed significantly as repair costs, accident rates, and replacement prices rise. Even drivers with clean records are seeing higher bills. Companies cite increased vehicle technology and medical expenses as reasons, leaving consumers with little choice but to pay more.
Utilities
Electricity, gas, and water bills have all increased due to infrastructure costs, higher demand, and energy market instability. Even modest households are noticing a steady jump in monthly expenses. Some are switching providers or investing in energy-efficient appliances to soften the blow.
Dining Out
Restaurant prices have climbed steadily due to higher ingredient, labor, and delivery costs. What used to be an affordable weeknight dinner now feels like a splurge. Many families are cutting back on dining out and rediscovering home-cooked meals to save money.
Streaming Services
Streaming was once the cheaper alternative to cable, but those days are over. Monthly subscription prices have doubled for some platforms, and ad-free options cost even more. Between multiple subscriptions and rising fees, entertainment has quietly become a major monthly expense again.
Healthcare
Out-of-pocket medical costs have skyrocketed. Even with insurance, deductibles, prescription prices, and copays have all risen sharply. Many people are skipping preventive care or comparison shopping for medications to stretch their healthcare dollars further.
Insurance Premiums
Homeowners, renters, and health insurance premiums have all seen steep hikes. Rising natural disaster claims, higher rebuilding costs, and inflation across the board have made coverage harder to afford. Consumers are shopping around more frequently or increasing deductibles just to keep policies active.
Why Everyday Life Feels Pricier Than Ever
Rising prices affect more than inflation numbers. They change how people live day to day. Budgets are tighter, priorities are different, and many are learning to get by with less. Even small increases add up quickly when everything costs more. For most Americans, affordability now means changing habits, not only cutting back.
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The article 9 Everyday Costs That Have Doubled in Five Years first appeared on Cents + Purpose.