Jobs, Inflation & Cost of Living

Ask Latinos which issues they want to see elected officials address most, and four of the top five impact their wallets, specifically inflation and the rising cost of living, wages, healthcare costs, and housing affordability, according to a poll by Unidos Us. The rising cost of living in some Latino-populated cities, such as Miami and Los Angeles, is significantly higher than the national average, hitting our communities especially hard. From the price of food and gas to the cost of renting or buying a home, Latinos are concerned about basic economic issues, with 61 percent of us saying that our jobs do not pay enough. The best way to cope with rising costs is to earn more. But the wage gap between Latinos and just about everybody else is wide, with Latinas, in particular, earning only 57 cents for every dollar a white non-Latino man makes. 

HOW THIS ISSUE IMPACTS YOU: Despite 37 percent of Latinos reporting economic struggles, nearly a third of familias with young children feel they are doing somewhat or a lot better compared to last year, while 33 percent feel their situation remains unchanged, according to a 2024 survey by Abriendo Puertas. To improve our financial well-being, half of us are constantly searching for better-paying jobs or promotions, while more than third of us work side hustles to ensure we make ends meet.

DID YOU KNOW? About 26 percent of Latinos have less than $100 in savings.