A report from Iowa State University shows that rural Americans are feeling the pain of inflation more than the rest of the country.

“Rural households are more vulnerable to inflation,” the report said. “In 2020, rural household post‐tax incomes stood at $58,012. About 82% of rural incomes went towards expenses, leaving $10,661 in discretionary income for savings and unanticipated expenses. However, by 2022 expenses rose by 18.5% overall. Earnings were not able to keep pace with inflation, rising by only 6.1%. The net effect cut rural discretionary incomes by –49.1% between June 2020 and June 2022, reducing the cushion to only $5,426. Expenses now consume 91% of rural take‐home pay.”

Poster Comment:

People in rural areas often have to drive long distances to a factory job or to shop.