Tariffs and the broader cost of living crisis are pushing more Americans toward financial breaking point, a new survey has found. According to a new poll by financial services company JG Wentworth , conducted in February 2026 and surveying 1,421 U.S. adults, almost half of all personal bankruptcies are due to the cost of living and tariff costs. When asked what contributed most to their bankruptcy , 43.4 percent of respondents cited the cost of living crisis, making it the most common factor.