More working-age Americans are relying on credit cards to pay for groceries as persistent cost-of-living pressures strain household finances, raising concerns among consumer advocates about the growing use of debt to cover everyday essentials.
A new survey from the Urban Institute found that more than one in three working-age adults used a credit card to purchase groceries in 2025, with many reporting difficulty paying off those balances. The findings point to a growing dependence on revolving credit for necessities rather than discretionary spending.
