For a long time, Americans could count on certain things feeling reasonably priced.
A quick grocery run, a weekend movie night, or even a used car purchase didn’t always come with a moment of financial panic.
But over the past few years, inflation has changed the meaning of “affordable.”
From housing to small indulgences, the cost of living has crept up in ways that now shape nearly every purchase.
Here are nine things that used to feel affordable, until inflation got in the way.
1. Groceries
For many households, grocery shopping has become a weekly reminder of inflation.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices rose by 23.6% between 2020 and 2024.
Basic staples like bread, milk, eggs, and chicken now cost significantly more, pushing even budget-conscious shoppers to make trade-offs.
Families that once filled their carts without thinking twice are now cutting back on brand names, buying in bulk, or skipping extras altogether.
Even discount stores have raised prices, blurring the line between “budget” and “premium.”
2. Restaurant Meals
Dining out was once a simple treat, a way to relax without worrying too much about the bill. Not anymore.
Average menu prices increased 31% between February 2020 and April 2025.
Fast food, in particular, has seen some of the biggest jumps.
What used to be a quick $6 combo meal now often tops $10. Sit-down restaurants have also increased menu prices to offset higher wages and ingredient costs.
For many, the shift has turned eating out from a casual habit into a rare indulgence.
3. Housing
Housing affordability has arguably taken the hardest hit. Home prices soared during and after the pandemic, while mortgage rates doubled from record lows.
In October 2023, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate peaked around 7.79%, up from historic lows near 2.65% in early 2021, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Renters haven’t escaped either. According to Realtor.com, average U.S. rent prices in March 2024 were still about 20% higher than they were in March 2019.
For many young adults and families, the dream of owning a home, or even moving into a slightly larger apartment, feels increasingly out of reach.
4. Used Cars
Used cars used to be a go-to option for those avoiding steep new vehicle prices. But that changed when supply chain issues hit during the pandemic.
Although prices have cooled slightly, they’re still far from pre-pandemic levels.
Even older vehicles with high mileage now sell for thousands more than they did just a few years ago.
For lower-income buyers, that shift has made car ownership a real financial stretch, especially when combined with rising insurance and maintenance costs.
5. Child Care
Child care has long been a major household expense, but inflation has pushed it to new extremes.
Child Care Aware of America reported in 2024 that child care prices rose by 29% between 2020 and 2024.
The average cost for one child in full-time care now exceeds $11,000 annually in many states.
For working parents, the math is often discouraging: staying home can mean lost income, but working can mean spending a large portion of that income on care.
The squeeze has made child care one of the most financially stressful aspects of modern parenting.
6. Health Care
Health care has always been expensive, but inflation has pushed it even further out of reach for many families. Premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs keep rising faster than wages.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health insurance reached $23,968 in 2023—up more than 37% from a decade ago and the highest on record.
On top of that, day-to-day medical costs like prescriptions, basic dental care, and over-the-counter medications have all gone up.
As a result, more Americans are delaying or skipping medical care just to avoid the added financial strain
7. Entertainment
Streaming used to be a cheap and easy way to unwind. But these days, platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu have all bumped up their monthly rates.
Many of them now also charge more if you want to watch without ads.
At the same time, going out to see a movie, catch a concert, or attend a game has gotten more expensive, too.
With prices up across the board, a night out just isn’t as casual as it used to be.
For a lot of people, entertainment is now one of the first things to go when the budget gets tight.
8. Travel
Vacations have always needed some planning, but now they take serious budgeting too.
Flights, hotels, and rental cars have all gotten more expensive since the pandemic. The average U.S. domestic airfare in 2023 was $179.25, up about 9% from 2019, according to Cirium data reported by Business Travel News.
Hotel rates in major U.S. markets have increased by about 20% over pre‑pandemic levels.
Even road trips, once a cheaper alternative, aren’t as wallet-friendly anymore because of high gas prices.
A lot of families who used to take yearly vacations are now choosing shorter trips, staying local, or skipping the travel altogether to save money.
9. Coffee and Takeout Drinks
For many people, grabbing a daily coffee used to feel like a harmless splurge. But the rise in ingredient, rent, and labor costs has turned that $2.50 latte into a $6 habit.
Coffee shop chains and independent cafes alike have adjusted prices, and some have reduced cup sizes or limited discounts to stay profitable.
The change might seem small on paper, but it adds up. A daily coffee now costs more than $100 a month for regular customers, a budget line many are rethinking.
A New Normal for Affordability
Inflation has done more than raise prices; it’s reshaped the definition of what feels affordable.
Households across income levels are recalculating priorities, cutting subscriptions, cooking more at home, and delaying big purchases.
While some economists expect inflation to gradually ease, the effects of these price increases often linger.
Once prices climb, they rarely fall back to where they started.
For millions of Americans, the result is a permanent adjustment to how they live, spend, and plan for the future.