Nearly 80% of Canadians say cost-of-living outpaces their income: poll

Fifty-five per cent of those polled say they put aside money every month, those 41% say they're not able to

That’s according to a new survey commissioned by H&R Block that paints a bleak picture of Canada’s ongoing affordability crisis, with those in Atlantic Canada reportedly the most concerned.

OTTAWA — Despite saying they earn a decent salary, more than half of working Canadians say they’re having trouble making ends meet.

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In that poll, conducted by Angus Reid, 58% of those surveyed say they struggle to meet everyday expenses such as groceries and gas, despite earning what they consider to be a good salary.

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2026 expected to be challenging year financially

As well, 46% say they don’t have anything left over to save after paying for the essentials, 72% say they plan to curtail their spending this year, and 77% of the few who do manage to save money say they plan to put less into their savings in 2026.

“This compares to 14% saying they plan to increase spending this year as they’re less focused on putting extra cash into savings,” read a statement on the survey.

“In addition, over half (54%) of Canadians worry 2026 is going to be a challenging year for them.”

Fifty-five per cent of those polled say they put aside money every month, those 41% say they’re not able to.

Fewer Canadians are finding themselves capable of stretching their paycheque to cover monthly expenses, with 35% of those polled reporting having to resort to credit cards, bridge loans or overdraft to survive until their next pay.