BEAVERTON, Ore. (KPTV) – Oregon’s 2026 Cost of Living Report shows financial hardship is growing more common across the state, with food, housing, and credit card debt causing the most stress.
Data collected by State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner shows 73% of Oregonians have cut down on expenses to pay for food, and 53% say they still struggle to pay bills. Steiner said nearly half of Oregonians cannot afford a $500 emergency expense.
“By the end of the month, they’ve run out of money and until they get their next paycheck — and so as a result, more Oregonians are using credit cards to pay for essential things like food or gas or utility bills,” Steiner said.
The report shows debt is at an all-time high, as are interest rates. Bankruptcy filings increased 25% between 2024 and 2025. Steiner also cited rising housing and healthcare costs, along with federal tariffs and funding cuts, as contributing factors.
Shoppers at a WinCo in Beaverton said they are paying more for groceries and adjusting their habits to manage costs. Gregory Richardson said he and his wife cook at home more often.
“Food’s expensive but we had to change our diet anyway. Lettuce is a lot cheaper than all that other stuff,” Richardson said.
Cassie Shagnon said she has spent two years commuting from Portland to the Beaverton WinCo because prices at stores near her home have become unmanageable.
“I couldn’t even shop in my own neighborhood anymore. All the stores in Portland are really getting out of hand. When I went last time, it was like $7-9 for one pack of strawberries,” Shagnon said.
Shagnon said she takes a 30-minute bus trip each way after her car broke down and she could not afford to replace it, along with gas and insurance costs.
The report also reflects a racial gap in spending cutbacks; 84% of Black families in Oregon report cutting back on expenses, followed by 79% of Hispanic families. White families reported the lowest rate of cutbacks, at 72%.
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