The cost of living is the top concern of Californians – far outranking immigration, crime, reproductive issues, the political divide, education, healthcare, or environmental issues – according to a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll released October 24.
Taxes were specifically cited as a top concern by only a small percentage of respondents, but likely were considered by most to be a part of the high cost of living.
The pollster asked 1,646 California adult residents, “Thinking about the state as a whole, what do you think is the most important issue facing people in California today?”
The responses:
- 35 percent, “cost of living, economy, inflation, jobs.”
- 18 percent, “housing costs, availability.”
- 12 percent, “homelessness.”
- 7 percent, “crime, gangs, drugs.”
- 5 percent, “environment, pollution, climate change.”
- 5 percent, “immigration, illegal immigration.”
- 4 percent, “government in general, problems with elected officials, political parties.”
- 3 percent, “state budget, deficit, taxes.”
- 10 percent, “other.”
Asked about issues at the national level, the responses were similar:
- 26 percent, “economy, unemployment, and jobs.”
- 18 percent, “political extremism or threats to democracy.”
- 15 percent, “immigration.”
- 7 percent, “crime or corruption.”
- 7 percent, “environment and climate.”
- 7 percent, “healthcare system.”
- 4 percent, “inequality and discrimination.”
- 4 percent, “war and foreign conflicts.”
- 3 percent, “education.”
- 3 percent, “morality.”
- 2 percent, “abortion issues.”
- 2 percent, “public health, disease, and illness.”
- 1 percent, “energy issues.”
- 1 percent, “don’t know.”
The poll was conducted in English and Spanish from October 7 to October 15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.