The 2024 Utah Priorities Project found that “earning enough to pay for non-housing needs” is of high concern for Utahns. This is particularly the case for Utahns with lower incomes, conservatives, Republicans, unaffiliated voters, and those who are more religious or spiritual.
The Utah Foundation asked voters where non-housing price increases most affected family budgets. Of nine possible choices, 70% of voters reported that grocery prices affected them the most. Older Utah voters reported a smaller family-budget impact from the cost of food as compared to younger groups.
“Economists often express inflation in year-on-year terms,” said John Salevurakis, the author of the brief. Salevurakis continued to note that “Utahns, however, are still taken aback by inflation that has taken place over several years.”
“Inflation for Utah is near a very healthy 2% for the past twelve months,” said Shawn Teigen, Utah Foundation president. “While that is great news, many Utahns are still reeling from the increase in grocery prices of about 28% since 2020.”
The Utah Priorities Project examines what matters most to Utah voters. The project also clarifies more detailed facts and demographic characteristics pertaining to what matters most, thus helping voters understand the complexities of important issues. Utahns are then empowered to undertake informed discussions and vote in a way that more accurately reflects this deeper understanding.
