2026 WalletHub Economic Index

The WalletHub Economic Index is based on a monthly survey that evaluates economic prospects based on 10 components of consumer sentiment. These components revolve around how people feel about their finances, purchasing plans and employment opportunities.

“The nearly 5% increase in consumer sentiment over the past year is an encouraging sign that our economy is recovering from the damage it suffered as a result of the pandemic and inflation. People who have high financial confidence are likely to spend more money and reduce their debts, both of which are good for the economy as a whole.”

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

1. Main Findings
2. Detailed Findings
3. Ask the Experts
4. Tips
5. Methodology

Main Findings Change in WalletHub Economic Index: March 2026 vs. March 2025

Detailed Findings

• Year-over-year, consumers felt more confident about their financial outlook in March 2026, with the value of the overall index registered being nearly 5% higher than in March 2025.

• Increasing financial optimism: In March 2026, consumers’ optimism about their finances recorded an increase (+8.81%) from the previous month. Also, the level of optimism increased by more than 7% over the past year.

Note: The higher the value, the more optimistic people feel about their finances.

• Decreasing stress: Consumers’ stress levels regarding money are lower (-4.4%) in March 2026 compared to the same period last year.

Note: The lower the value, the less stress people feel about money.

• Decrease in optimism: In March 2026, consumers’ optimism about whether their finances will improve in the next six months is lower (-1.9%) than it was last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more improvement people expect for their finances.

• Less new employment opportunities: The share of consumers who feel new employment opportunities are “abundant” is lower (-3.5%) in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more abundant people think employment opportunities are.

• Weaker sense of job security: People’s confidence in having a job in the next six months is lower (-4.3%) in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will have a job.

• Real estate popularity rise: Home-buying interest among consumers increased by over 9% in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to buy a home.

• Increasing interest in auto purchases: The share of consumers who expect to buy a car in the next six months is over 7% higher in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to buy a car.

• Large purchases are a priority: In March 2026, consumers’ likelihood of making a large purchase in the next six months is nearly 1% higher than it was last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to make a large purchase.

• Increasing debt-reduction confidence: The share of consumers who expect to have less debt after the next six months increased by over 2% in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will reduce their debt.

• Credit score security: The share of consumers who expect their credit score to increase in the next six months is higher (+4.4%) in March 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will increase their credit score.

Ask the Experts

In order to gain more insight into consumer attitudes during a difficult year, WalletHub turned to a panel of experts. Click on the pictures of the experts below to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:

1. Why is consumer confidence going down overall?
2. In what ways have the 2024 elections affected the financial decisions of households and businesses?
3. With the ongoing uncertainties in this economy, what steps can individuals take to protect their personal finances?

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• Robert Haywood Scott III Ph.D. – Professor & Greenbaum/Ferguson/NJAR Endowed Chair in Real Estate Policy, Department of Economics, Finance & Real Estate, Leon Hess Business School - Monmouth University
• Dr. Tahereh Alavi Hojjat Chair and Professor of Economics, Waterbury Reilly School of Business - DeSales University
• Patrick Bernet Associate Professor, Management Programs – Health Administration - Florida Atlantic University, College of Business
• Xiaoqing Eleanor Xu Ph.D., CFA, Professor of Finance, Stillman School of Business; Co-Director, Master of Financial Technology and Analytics - Seton Hall University
• Rajeev Singhal Associate Dean, School of Business Administration - Oakland University
• Dr. Kent Belasco CPA, Director, Commercial Banking Program and Professor of Practice, Finance and Commercial Banking - Marquette University

More Experts

Tips for Improving Your Confidence in Your Finances

• Budget carefully. Develop a comprehensive budget outlining your income, expenses and debts to make sure you fully understand your financial situation. Try to see what non-essential expenses you can cut out in order to put more money toward paying down debts or building your savings.
• Set up an emergency fund. Save a little money each month until you have enough to cover 3 to 6 months of expenses. This emergency fund acts like a financial safety net for unexpected costs.
• Pursue additional sources of income. Explore side jobs, part-time work, or freelance gigs to boost your income. You can even ask for a raise at your current job. Having multiple income sources not only makes you financially stronger but also boosts your confidence in making money.
• Educate yourself about personal finance. Take some time to understand more about personal finance by reading articles or taking classes. This will help you make better decisions and improve your financial situation.
• Try to save and invest a little bit every month. Having an emergency fund is a good first step. But once you’ve built that up, you should also start saving for big goals like homeownership, car purchases and retirement. Although you might not have a ton of money to put toward these goals, even small contributions add up over time. If you make it a habit, you'll be ready to save more when your financial situation gets better.

Methodology

The WalletHub Economic Index is based on a nationally representative online survey that WalletHub conducts monthly. There has been a total of nearly 14,100 respondents between December 2020 and March 2026.

WalletHub Economic Index Questions

Wallet General
1. How do you feel about your finances right now? Pessimistic 1    2    3    4    5 Optimistic
2. How will your finances look 6 months from now? Much Worse 1    2    3    4    5 Much Better
3. How do you feel about money? Very Stressed 1    2    3    4    5 Not StressedJobs
4. How confident are you that you will have a job in 6 months? Not confident 1    2    3    4    5 Very confident
5. How would you describe current employment opportunities? Limited 1    2    3    4    5 AbundantLarge Purchases
6. How likely are you to buy a home in the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likely
7. How likely are you to buy a new car in the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likely
8. How likely are you to make a large purchase within the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likelyWallet Specific
9. Will you have more or less debt in 6 months? More debt 1    2    3    4    5 Less debt
10. Will your credit score be better or worse in 6 months? Worse 1    2    3    4    5 Better