American incomes finally top pre-pandemic levels, fighting against inflation all the way

WASHINGTON — U.S. household income finally topped pre- pandemic levels last year, a stark sign of how the past five years of rising prices have limited Americans’ earnings and purchasing power. Median U.S. household income rose a healthy 2.6% in 2025 from the previous year, after adjusting for inflation, to $87,460, the Census Bureau said Tuesday . That is a record high, topping 2019 household income of $85,320. The median is the level at which half of households had higher earnings and half had less. The figures show that even after taking into account higher prices, the typical household now earns more than it did before the pandemic.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open Direct local · WFMY News 2 ↗