Rising living costs are forcing millennials to re-evaluate their spending, with essential transportation, travel, and housing costs posing the biggest financial strain
According to findings from the Consumer Pulse Study by TransUnion released on October 14, 2026, gasoline emerged as the single most unaffordable category, cited by 45 per cent of millennials surveyed who reported shopping for these categories in the last three months
Travel-related purchases, including airfare and hotel accommodations, followed closely behind, with 41 per cent finding them unaffordable
Essential living costs also feature heavily among the generation’s top financial burdens
Medical care costs, including copays, out-of-pocket costs, and monthly premiums, were reported as unaffordable by 37 per cent of respondents, while groceries proved challenging for 35 per cent.
Entertainment and leisure activities such as movies, theme parks, and experiences tied with basic utilities like heating, electricity, and water, with both categories rated unaffordable by 34 per cent of respondents
Further down the spectrum, a quarter of millennials reported difficulties affording in-home entertainment like cable TV and streaming services, apparel and footwear, and everyday household items such as paper towels, hand soap, and laundry detergent, all standing at 25 per cent.
Mobile phone plans and devices rounded out the list as the least unaffordable category surveyed, marked by 18 per cent of respondents
