Americans Fear Permanent Economic Shift Due To Tariffs, And Are Adjusting Their Habits, Survey Reveals

More than a quarter of Americans believe the U.S. economy will never return to pre-tariff conditions, according to a new survey that sheds light on how rising trade costs are affecting everyday life.

The poll of 2,000 adults, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by UserTesting, found that 29% of respondents think the economy has permanently shifted due to tariffs. Among the remaining 71%, the average estimate for when a full recovery might occur is at least 19 months from now.

Tariffs have become a recurring source of stress for Americans, with many respondents reporting emotional responses to the issue: 37% said tariffs make them feel stressed, 30% feel angry, 23% feel overwhelmed, and 18% feel sad.

While just over half (51%) of those surveyed believe they understand how tariffs affect their daily lives, that knowledge is often informed by personal experience. Seventy percent reported seeing grocery prices rise this year, followed by higher costs in restaurants (46%), gas (40%), clothing (38%), clothing accessories (28%), small electronics (25%), and vehicles (24%).

Many Americans directly attributed price increases to tariffs, particularly in categories like vehicles (20%), large electronics (20%), small electronics (20%), and clothing accessories (17%).

Rising prices are leading to dramatic shifts in consumer behavior. Sixty-three percent of Americans said they would stop purchasing watches and jewelry if tariffs led to further cost increases. Other items likely to be dropped from budgets include furniture (61%) and large electronics (60%).

Seventy-two percent said they’ve noticed brands increasing prices across the board due to tariffs, while 62% said some brands have absorbed the costs. Half of those seeing price hikes reported switching to more affordable brands.

Despite these changes, 54% said their opinion of most brands remains unchanged, and 72% cited transparency as the most important factor when evaluating companies that raise prices.

“What stands out to me is how much people value transparency from brands,” explained Bobby Meixner, VP of Solutions Marketing at UserTesting. “Consumers understand that tariffs may be outside of a brands control. What they want is honesty when those changes impact pricing.”

Tariffs are also altering broader lifestyle patterns. Forty-two percent said they are buying less overall, 31% are switching to store-brand products, 20% are shopping second-hand more frequently, 19% are traveling less, and 19% are considering a second job or side hustle. Forty-four percent said tariffs had impacted their summer travel plans.

Second-hand shopping is gaining popularity, with 47% of Americans saying they now shop second-hand more often, compared to 36% who did so before. Higher prices were cited as a key motivator by 21% of these shoppers.

The economic pressure has led many to accept trade-offs. Forty-one percent said theyve had to compromise on product quality, features, or brand. Groceries are a particular pain point. “I’ve had to buy off brands that don’t taste as good due to tariffs,” one respondent shared. “Most of the brands I’ve bought also expire quicker.”

“Whether tariffs remain or not, its clear theyve already reshaped consumer habits,” Meixner said. “Americans are adjusting to a new economic reality, and that shift may be here to stay.”