Latest / Wages and Prices with Fexingo: Cost of Living, Pay Raises, and Workers' Purchasing Power
The Stagnant Middle Class and the Wage-Price Squeeze
We are looking at the specific mechanics of why purchasing power feels stuck for so many workers in September 2026. With core CPI holding at 336.8 and average hourly earnings flatlining at thirty-seven dollars and sixty cents, the gap between what people earn and what they pay is widening. We break down the structural reasons behind this squeeze, using the latest Employment Cost Index data to show how service sector wages are lagging behind the cost of essential goods. This isn't just about inflation numbers; it is about the real-world impact on household budgets and the long-term health…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.