NEW DELHI: American voters are heading into midterm elections with growing economic anxiety, as rising living costs, persistent inflation and concerns about household purchasing power overshadow signs of resilience in the broader US economy; media reports stated.

With control of Congress at stake, the economy has emerged as a defining issue for voters, placing renewed scrutiny on President Donald Trump’s economic policies and the administration’s handling of affordability concerns.

Recent opinion polls suggested that economic dissatisfaction cuts across party lines, with Americans increasingly concerned about the cost of everyday necessities, including groceries, fuel, housing and healthcare.

According to an October survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 85 per cent of voters identified the economy as one of the most important issues influencing their midterm vote, while 84 per cent cited the cost of living.

A separate Pew Research Center survey, conducted between September 28 and October 4, found that 84 per cent of registered voters considered the economy very important to their voting decisions.

The findings underline how economic concerns have become central to the electoral debate, with voters assessing political leadership not just through broad economic indicators but also through their everyday financial experiences.

Despite continued economic growth, many American households are struggling to feel the benefits. Higher prices for essential goods and services have continued to put pressure on family budgets, while elevated borrowing costs have made mortgages, credit and other forms of financing more expensive.

A Reuters report published on November 2 highlighted the contrast between relatively strong economic growth and widespread public dissatisfaction. The US economy recorded annualised growth of 3.4 per cent in the previous quarter, supported in part by investment in artificial intelligence and resilient consumer spending.

However, consumer sentiment remains close to historic lows, suggesting that headline economic performance has done little to ease household concerns.

The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 48.0 in October, marginally below September's 48.1 and the second-lowest reading on record. The index had fallen to an all-time low of 44.8 in May.

The survey also found that consumers' expectations for inflation over the coming year increased to 4.7 per cent in October, reflecting continuing concerns about purchasing power.

Higher fuel prices, partly linked to the conflict involving Iran, have added to the pressure on household finances.

The economic mood presents a significant political challenge for the Trump administration as voters prepare to decide the composition of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The administration's trade and tariff policies, inflation management and response to rising energy costs have become important points of political debate.

An August Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 47 per cent of registered voters considered the cost of living the single most important factor in deciding their midterm vote. The same survey found that 71 per cent of US adults disapproved of Trump's handling of the cost of living, compared with 22 per cent who approved.

The October AP-NORC findings also indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the administration's economic performance, with 74 per cent disapproving of Trump's handling of the economy and 79 per cent disapproving of his handling of the cost of living.

For both parties, the challenge is to convince voters that their economic priorities and policy proposals can deliver tangible improvements in household finances.

While economic dissatisfaction could influence the electoral debate, it does not automatically translate into uniform voting behaviour. Voters are also weighing healthcare, immigration, national security, democratic institutions and other policy concerns.

The Pew Research Center found that the economy ranked as the leading issue for both Democratic and Republican voters, although the relative importance attached to other issues differed between the parties.

The AP-NORC survey further found that eight in 10 voters wanted substantial change or a complete overhaul in the way the country is governed, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

Independent voters could prove particularly important in determining the electoral outcome. The latest University of Michigan consumer survey showed that sentiment among independents deteriorated sharply in October, falling to 42.4 from 47.7 in September.

This suggests that economic frustration is not confined to voters with strong partisan loyalties and could remain an important factor in the final electoral calculations.

The central challenge for policymakers is the widening gap between macroeconomic performance and the financial realities experienced by ordinary households.

Strong investment, economic expansion and gains in financial markets do not necessarily translate into a greater sense of financial security for families facing expensive housing, higher insurance premiums and persistent everyday expenses.

As the United States approaches the November 3 vote, the election is increasingly becoming a test of how voters assess the administration's economic record and whether they believe existing policies are improving their standard of living.

Ultimately, the midterms will offer an important indication of how economic dissatisfaction is shaping public confidence in political leadership. For many Americans, the decisive question is not simply whether the economy is growing, but whether that growth is making life more affordable.