Rising inflation has compounded consumers' struggle to cover basic costs, and peace of mind has a price tag, according to a new survey.
The average U.S. consumer is willing to pay $57,000 per year for peace of mind, a poll of 2,000 by polling and marketing firm Talker Research found. The survey asked participants how much they would pay for five guarantees: never having an unexpected medical bill or copay, never worrying about job loss, concert and event ticket availability, medications and groceries being available whenever needed, and never having canceled transportation.
Respondents were willing to spend an average of $21,000 a year to have guaranteed access to necessities like groceries and medicine, and $19,800 to never have to worry about losing their job. The average salary for survey participants was $79,000.
The results highlight how valuable peace of mind is to consumers who have navigated a complex economic and financial landscape over the past 17 months. A series of events consumers likely did not anticipate—namely, the Trump administration's tariffs and war with Iran—have impacted key everyday costs.
The average U.S. family had paid more than $1,700 extra from February 2025 to February 2026 because of the tariffs' impact on the pricing of everyday goods and services, a recent report from Congress' Joint Economic Committee found. The war with Iran has driven up gas prices so much that consumers have paid an extra $24 billion for gas over the past two months.
These economic surprises and an overall sense of political instability have left consumers worried. The average American's fear over their financial future has risen to its highest point in the past 30 years. That may explain why consumers are ready to pay nearly $60,000 for peace of mind, said Dr. Jenny Martin, founder of Gemstone Wellness, who offered her insight as part of the Talker Research survey.
"We exist in an environment defined by economic uncertainty and political instability," Martin said. "Peace of mind has become psychologically equated with control, which feels harder and harder to find. The idea of 'paying for peace of mind' reflects a deeper desire to secure safety and predictability—relief from chronic vigilance."
For as much as consumers want to pay for peace, 41 percent of them admitted they are not able to do it whenever they want, the survey found.
