Key Findings
Jobs, the economy, and inflation have been the most important issue for Californians throughout this year—even amid job creation, relatively low unemployment rates, and a slowing pace of inflation. Clearly, concerns about higher interest rates and consumer prices are still having an impact. Lower-income Californians continue to grapple with high housing costs, while upper-income Californians are experiencing more turbulence in the financial markets. A divided Congress and declining state revenues are creating new uncertainties about programs and services that aim to expand economic opportunity in California.
This is the 25th year of the PPIC Statewide Survey. These are among the key findings of the Californians and their Economic Well-Being survey that was conducted from October 3 to October 19:
- Majorities of Californians think the state is headed in the wrong direction and predict bad economic times for the state economy in the next 12 months. About half or fewer approve of the governor and the state legislature on their handling of jobs and the economy. Roughly one in four say the availability of well-paying jobs is a big problem in their region, including three in ten lower-income Californians. About one in four lower-income residents say that the lack of well-paying jobs in their region is making them seriously consider moving out of the state.
Most Californians are satisfied with their household’s financial situation, but half of lower-income residents are not satisfied. Majorities across income groups say that their personal finances today are about the same as they were a year ago. One in three residents think the “American Dream”— if you work hard, you will get ahead—still holds true. Seven in ten agree that when children in California today grow up, they will be worse off than their parents.- Three in ten Californians—including a majority of lower-income residents—report reducing meals or cutting back on food to save money. Nearly one in five say that they have had difficulties paying their rent or mortgage, including four in ten lower-income residents. The majority have an unfavorable opinion of artificial intelligence (AI). Three in ten say they worry about their job being eliminated by AI, including more than four in ten lower-income residents.
Three in ten residents worry every day or almost every day about housing costs and retirement savings. About one in four worry this often about paying bills and debts. Higher shares of lower-income residents worry this often about housing costs, retirement savings, bills, and debts. One in three parents worry every day or almost every day about saving for their child’s college education.- One in three employed residents are very satisfied—and half are somewhat satisfied—with their jobs. Eight in ten say their jobs offer at least a fair amount of security, and majorities say that their jobs offer opportunities for growth and advancement. Lower-income employed residents report lower job satisfaction, less job security, and fewer opportunities for growth and advancement.
Seven in ten Californians approve of labor unions and one in three want them to have more influence. Overwhelming majorities sympathize with film and television actors in their labor dispute with studios, including majorities of voters across partisan groups.- Overwhelming majorities favor increased government funding for child care programs and expansion of the earned income tax credit. Majorities also favor government policies to reduce higher education costs, including making tuition free at two-year and four-year colleges and eliminating college debt. Nearly eight in ten are in favor of the government offering a public health care option, with partisans divided. Similarly overwhelming majorities—including strong majorities across political parties—support increased government funding for job training programs.
California’s Economy
Nearly two in three Californians expect bad times in the next 12 months. Sixty-nine percent were pessimistic last November and strong majorities have expected bad times in periodic surveys since last July. Today, overwhelming shares of Republicans (89%) and independents (70%) are pessimistic, while Democrats are divided (51% good times, 47% bad times). A majority of Californians across regions and demographic groups—with the exception of African Americans—expect bad times, but there are some differences. The share expecting bad times across regions is highest in Orange/San Diego (70%), followed by those in the Inland Empire (67%), the Central Valley (65%), Los Angeles (62%), and the San Francisco Bay Area (59%). Two in three Latinos (67%) and whites (67%) and 55 percent of Asian Americans are pessimistic, while a slim majority of African Americans (53%) expect good times. College graduates (56%) are much less likely than those with less education (69%) to expect bad economic times in the next 12 months, while views are similar across income groups.
Six in ten Californians expect bad economic times in the next 12 months
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Surveys, 1999–2023.
Eight in ten Californians view the availability of well-paying jobs in their part of California as a big problem (23%) or somewhat of a problem (59%). Findings have been similar in the each of our well-being surveys (2022: 24% big problem, 55% somewhat of a problem; 2021: 22% big problem, 57% somewhat of a problem; 2020: 27% big problem, 61% somewhat of a problem). Today, about eight in ten across parties (81% Democrats, 82% Republicans, 83% independents) and regions view the availability of well-paying jobs as a problem. Overwhelming majorities across demographic groups see the availability of well-paying jobs as a problem, although those with household incomes under $40,000 are more likely than those with incomes of $80,000 or more to call it a big problem.
When we look at the oversample of Californians with incomes under $40,000, we see a notable partisan divide: Republicans (48%) are more likely than independents (38%) and Democrats (23%) to say the availability of well-paying jobs is a big problem. Additionally, lower-income women (35%) are more likely than men (24%) to hold this view.
Most Californians view the availability of well-paying jobs as a problem
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
When asked if the lack of well-paying jobs has made them seriously consider moving away from their part of California, 28 percent of Californians say yes (7% elsewhere in the state, 21% outside of the state). Findings have been similar each time we have asked this question (28% November 2022, 26% November 2021, 32% December 2020). Republicans and independents are much more likely than Democrats to say they have considered moving, while the shares are similar across regions. And, while views are similar across racial/ethnic groups, the prevalence of this view declines with rising age and income. Among those who say they have seriously considered moving from their part of the state, most say they are considering moving out of the state rather than within it.
Among lower-income Californians, younger adults (49%) are more likely than those 35 and older (32%) to say they have considered moving. Lower-income Californians who never attended college (31%) are less likely than those who have (43%) to say this.
Nearly three in ten Californians say the lack of well-paying jobs has made them consider moving
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Personal Finances
Despite persistent inflation, most Californians are very (16%) or somewhat (56%) satisfied with their household financial situation; nearly three in ten are not satisfied (28%). Satisfaction levels were similar in November 2022 (19% very, 54% somewhat) and November 2021 (21% very, 57% somewhat). Views today vary by income, with lower-income Californians much more likely to be not satisfied with their household’s finances. Among partisans, Democrats (82%) are most likely to be satisfied, followed by independents (73%) and Republicans (61%). Men and women hold similar views, and satisfaction levels are similar across regions and age and racial/ethnic groups.
When looking at the oversample of lower-income Californians, notable differences emerge. Californians with incomes of $20,000 or under (42%) are less satisfied than those making $20,000 to $40,000 (55%). Additionally, lower-income homeowners (60%) are more satisfied than renters (45%), and Latinos (62%) are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups (40%), to express satisfaction. It is also noteworthy that while partisans hold similar views overall, there is a partisan divide among the lower-income sample: Democrats (63%) are far more likely than independents (45%) and Republicans (36%) to be satisfied.
Most Californians are satisfied with their household's finances
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
A majority of Californians (55%) say their personal finances are about the same as they were a year ago, while one in six say they are better off and three in ten say they are worse off than a year ago. A similar 54 percent said their finances were about the same last November, while about six in ten held this view in November 2021 (62%) and December 2020 (59%). Today, about half or more across parties, regions, and demographic groups say their finances are about the same, but some groups are more likely than others to say they are worse off. Republicans (42%) and independents (37%) are twice as likely as Democrats (18%) to hold this negative view. Additionally, the share saying they are worse off declines with rising income.
Among Californians with incomes under $40,000, college graduates (28%) are less likely than those with less education (37%) to say their personal finances are worse off, and whites are more likely than Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups to say this. Half of Republicans (53%) say they are worse off, compared to about four in ten independents (38%) and one in four Democrats (27%).
About half of Californians say their personal finances are about the same as a year ago
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
A record-high 71 percent of Californians think that when children today in California grow up, they will be worse off financially than their parents. Shares with this perception have risen in recent years (67% November 2022, 63% November 2021, 63% December 2020), while this view was much less prevalent in December 2018 (50%) and December 2014 (55%). Today, lower-income residents are less likely to hold this negative view than those with higher incomes. While Republicans are more likely than independents and Democrats to say this, this perception is similarly prevalent across regions. Men and women hold similar views; across racial/ethnic groups, whites are most likely and African Americans are least likely to hold this negative view. The share saying children will be worse off than their parents increases with rising education levels but is similar across age groups. Notably, adults with children 18 or younger in the house (63%) are much less likely than others (75%) to hold this negative view.
Among Californians with incomes under $40,000, the view that children will be worse off than their parents is more prevalent among college graduates (76%) than among those without a degree (62%), and women (67%) are slightly more likely than men (60%) to hold this view. Lower-income Californians with children 18 or younger in the home (48%) are much less likely than those without children in their home (70%) to say children will be worse off than their parents.
An overwhelming majority of Californians think that when today's children grow up, they will be worse off than their parents
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Economic Security
We asked about Californians’ experiences with various financial difficulties in the last year. Three in ten Californians report that they or someone in their household has had to cut back on food to save money over the past year. About one in five said they had to put off seeing a doctor (19%), were unable to pay a monthly bill (18%), or had difficulty paying their rent or mortgage (17%) over the past year. These findings are similar to last November.
Among households earning less than $20,000, six in ten report cutting back on food, about half say they have been unable to pay a monthly bill or had difficulty paying their rent or mortgage, and one in three say they have put off going to the doctor; fewer adults with higher incomes report experiencing these financial difficulties. Renters (31%) are far more likely than homeowners (9%) to say they have had difficulty paying for housing.
Across racial/ethnic groups, Latinos and African Americans are more likely to report being unable to pay a monthly bill and having difficulty paying rent or mortgage than Asian Americans and whites. Latinos are also more likely than other groups to have had to cut back on food. Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area are the least likely across regions to report facing any of these financial insecurities.
Three in ten Californians have cut back on food, while fewer have faced other types of financial difficulties
% happened to me or someone in my household
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,394 likely voters).
About two in ten or fewer Californians say they or someone in their household have had hours or pay reduced 19%), lost a job (17%), or received unemployment benefits (11%). These shares were similar a year ago. Across income groups, reports of these economic hardships increase as household income declines. Conversely, as age increases, reports of these financial insecurities decrease.
Latinos are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to report reduced hours or pay and losing a job, while Asian Americans are the least likely to say they received unemployment benefits. Across regions, similar shares of Californians report losing a job and receiving unemployment benefits; residents in the Central Valley and Los Angeles are slightly more likely to report a cut in pay or hours.
One in five Californians report reduced work hours or pay; a similar share report a lost job in their household
% happened to me or someone in my household
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,394 likely voters).
Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) and its economic and personal impacts have attracted a lot of attention. Nearly nine in ten (88%) Californians have heard or read at least a little about AI, and 56 percent have an unfavorable view. However, most Californians are not worried about their job being eliminated by new technology such as automation, robots, or AI.
About three in ten employed Californians say they are worried about their job being eliminated by new technology, but only 6 percent say they are very worried. Employed residents of Los Angeles (36%) are more likely than residents elsewhere to say this, while those in the Central Valley are the least likely (20%). Concern about losing a job to new technology is similar across most demographic groups. However, across income groups, half of Californians earning less than $20,000 are worried about this, compared to about a quarter of those making over $80,000.
Most Californians are not worried about their job being eliminated by new technology like AI
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
NOTES: Among employed adults only. *Small sample size for African Americans.
Financial Worries
About three in ten Californians worry every day or almost every day about saving for their retirement or the cost of housing for them and their families, while about two in ten worry this often about the cost of health care for them and their families. Across racial/ethnic groups, Latinos are somewhat more likely than African Americans, Asian Americans, and whites to have these financial worries.
Californians with a high school education only are more likely than others with higher levels of education to say they worry about saving for retirement and the cost of housing. Residents in the Inland Empire are more likely to worry about the cost of health care and housing for them and their families compared to residents elsewhere in the state.
These financial worries increase as income decreases, with half of residents who make $20,000 or less saying they worry about saving for retirement or the cost of housing. Renters (46%) are far more likely than homeowners (18%) to worry about the cost of housing at least almost every day. Adults over 55 are somewhat less likely to have these financial worries.
Californians are more likely to worry about housing and retirement than about health care costs
% worry every day or almost every day
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 3–19, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Parents of children 18 or younger are much more likely to worry about saving for their child’s college education (33%) than about the cost of child care (11%). Notably, parents of younger children are more likely than parents overall to worry about the cost of child care. Parents who earn $20,000 or less are far more likely to worry about these costs, with about half or more reporting that they worry about it every day or almost every day.
Latino parents are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to worry about saving for their child’s college education. Women are much more likely than men to worry about this. Parents with only a high school education are somewhat more likely to be worried compared to those with more education.
Parents in the Central Valley (17%) and Orange/San Diego (17%) are most likely across regions to worry about the cost of child care, while parents in Orange/San Diego (41%) and the Inland Empire (38%) are most likely to report worrying about saving for their child’s college education.
Parents worry more about saving for their child's college education than about the cost of child care
% worry every day or almost every day
About a quarter of Californians report worrying every day (12%) or almost every day (11%) about paying their bills or about the amount of debt they have (13% every day, 11% almost every day), while 14 percent worry that they or someone in their family will lose their job (8% every day, 6% almost every day). Across income groups, Californians earning less than $20,000 are most likely to report being worried about their debt and paying bills.
African Americans and Latinos are more likely than Asian Americans and whites to worry about paying their bills and about their debt. About a quarter of those age 18 to 34 and three in ten age 35 to 54 say they worry about their debt and paying their bills, while those 55 and over report lower levels of concern. San Francisco Bay Area residents are less concerned than residents elsewhere about their debt and bills. There is little variation in concern over job loss across other demographic groups and across regions.
About one in four Californians worry about their debt and paying their bills, while fewer worry about losing their job
% worry every day or almost every day
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Job Conditions
A majority of employed adults across the state are at least somewhat satisfied with their job, including 35 percent who are very satisfied; one in ten say they are not satisfied. Most have expressed satisfaction since December 2020, the first time PPIC asked this question. Today, the shares saying they are very satisfied vary across partisan, demographic, and regional groups, and peaks at about half only among Inland Empire residents (51%). Among racial/ethnic groups, about four in ten African Americans, whites, and Latinos are very satisfied, compared to two in ten Asian Americans. Adults with incomes under $40,000 are less likely to hold this view.
Among employed adults with incomes under $40,000, a majority express satisfaction with their job; interestingly, those with incomes under $20,000 are more likely to say they are very satisfied (29% vs. 20% $20,000 to $40,0000).
Most employed adults are at least somewhat satisfied with their job
Eight in ten employed Californians say they have a least a fair amount of job security, including strong majorities across demographic, regional, and partisan groups who say this. However, there is one exception among income groups: just about half of adults earning less than $20,000 say they have a fair amount of job security (49%).
A majority of working Californians say their job offers opportunities for growth and advancement, while about four in ten say their job does not. Men (61%) are somewhat more likely than women (53%) to say their job offers growth and advancement opportunities. Majorities among working African Americans, whites, and Latinos hold this view, while a majority of working Asian Americans report that their job does not offer these opportunities. Lower-income Californians are much less likely than those with higher incomes to say their job offers opportunities for growth and advancement, as are those 55 and older compared to younger Californians.
A slim majority of California workers say their job offers educational or training assistance; shares holding this view vary across demographic, regional, and partisan groups. Majorities of African Americans, Asian Americans, and whites say their jobs offer assistance, compared to about half of Latinos. Less-educated and lower-income adults are the least likely to say this— in fact, just 16 percent of employed adults making less than $20,000 feel that their current job provides educational or training assistance. Majorities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange/San Diego, and Inland Empire say they have this type of assistance at work, compared to half or fewer in other regions.
Overwhelming majorities of employed adults say they have stable and predictable pay (84%) and stable and predictable hours (80%) at work. Experiences are different for lower-income working Californians. More than four in ten adults making less than $20,000 say they do not have predictable pay hours at work (44%). This group is also the only one across all demographic groups to say their job does not provide health care coverage (76%), paid sick leave (61%), or retirement savings (70%).
Majorities of employed adults say their job offers growth opportunities and educational or training assistance; half say it provides job security
% yes
About six in ten adults earning less than $40,000 say they do not have job security; the shares saying this vary demographically and regionally. A solid majority of lower-income Californians say that their job does not provide educational or training assistance, with shares varying across demographic and regional groups. And fewer than two in three report having stable and predictable pay at work, with solid majorities across demographic and regional groups saying this. Full-time employed adults in this subgroup are more likely than part-time workers to report a lack of job security, assistance, and stable pay at work.
Seven in ten adults approve of labor unions, while about a quarter (26%) disapprove. Majorities across party groups approve, as do solid majorities across demographic and regional groups. About one in three Californians say they or someone in their family is a union member.
Most Californians approve of labor unions
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
About one in three adults say they would like to see labor unions in the US have more influence than they have today (34%); 22 percent say they should have less influence, and four in ten say labor unions should have the same amount of influence as they do today (41%). A plurality of Democrats (47%) say labor unions should have more influence, compared to far fewer Republicans (15%) and independents (35%). Views on this issue vary across demographic and regional groups.
With SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation and Radio Artists) and AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) still in talks to end the actors strike, the PPIC Statewide Survey asked which side Californians empathize with more. An overwhelming share say they side with the actors (76%) and two in ten say they side with the film studios (19%); few say they sympathize with both equally or with neither side (1% each). Solid majorities across party lines and seven in ten across demographic and regional groups say they side with the actors.
A plurality of Californians think labor unions should have the same amount of influence as they have today
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Worker Policies
About three in four adults and likely voters favor increased government funding so that child care programs are available for more lower-income working parents, while about a quarter or fewer adults and likely voters are opposed. More than seven in ten Californians have been in favor of this since December 2020, the first time PPIC asked this question. Today, most Democrats (89%) and independents (75%) are in favor, compared to about half of Republicans (51% favor, 48% oppose). Seven in ten or more across demographic and regional groups are in favor of increasing government funding for child care programs. About eight in ten or more African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans are in favor, compared to about seven in ten white adults. Across income groups, adults with incomes under $40,000 are more likely than those with higher incomes to say this. Across regions, three-quarters or more are in favor, with support highest in the San Francisco Bay Area and lowest in Orange/San Diego.
When it comes to expanding eligibility for and increasing the earned income tax credit for lower-income working Californians, about seven in ten adults and likely voters are in favor (28% of adults and likely voters are opposed). A similar share have been in favor since December 2020, the first time PPIC asked this question. Today, strong majorities of Democrats (85%) and independents (66%) are in favor, while Republicans are divided (49% favor, 50% oppose). Strong majorities across demographic and regional groups are in favor. Among racial/ethnic groups, African Americans are most likely and whites are least likely to express support. Support increases as income declines. Across regions, eight in ten or more residents in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles support expanding the credit, compared to fewer in other parts of California. More than eight in ten Californians earning less than $40,000 favor both increased funding for child care and expanding the earned income tax credit.
Overwhelming majorities favor increasing government funding for child care programs and expanding the earned income tax credit
% favor
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Roughly two in three adults and about six in ten likely voters favor a government policy to make tuition free at both public two-year and four-year colleges; about three in ten adults and four in ten likely voters oppose this idea. About two-thirds have been in favor since December 2020. Today, solid majorities of Democrats (78%) and independents (62%) support free tuition, while a solid majority of Republicans are opposed (60%). Majorities across demographic and regional groups are in favor. Among racial/ethnic groups, over seven in ten Latinos and African Americans, over six in ten Asian Americans, and 58 percent of whites say they are in favor of free tuition. Support increases as education and income decline. Across income groups, adults with incomes under $20,000 are most likely to favor this idea. About six in ten or more across regions are in favor.
When asked whether they would favor or oppose a government policy to eliminate college debt, a majority of adults express support, while likely voters are more divided (47% favor, 52% oppose). Support was similar last November (60%) but has declined since December 2020, when 65 percent were in favor. Today, partisans are divided on this issue: nearly seven in ten Democrats (69%) favor eliminating college debt, while three in four Republicans (75%) are opposed, and independents are divided (49% favor, 49% oppose). Support varies across demographic groups, with adults under 55 more likely than older adults, women more likely than men, and lower-income adults more likely than those with higher incomes to favor a debt elimination policy. Shares in favor vary among racial/ethnic groups, with African Americans most likely and whites least likely to be in favor. Majorities across most regions are in favor, with the exception of Orange/San Diego, where residents are divided.
Majorities favor government policies to reduce higher education costs
% favor
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
About eight in ten adults and likely voters favor increased government funding for job training programs so that more workers have the skills they need for today’s jobs; nearly two in ten are opposed. Findings have been similar since December 2020. Majorities across partisan, regional, and demographic groups are in favor of increased funding for job training, and support is similar across income groups.
Overwhelming majorities of adults and likely voters favor the government offering a health insurance plan similar to Medicare that adults can purchase instead of private insurance (21% adults and 25% likely voters are opposed). Eight in ten or more Democrats and independents are in favor, while Republicans are divided. Overwhelming majorities across demographic and regional groups favor a public health care option.
Overwhelming majorities favor increased funding for job training and a public health care option
% favor
SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, November 2023. Survey was fielded from October 319, 2023 (n=2,250 adults, n=1,395 likely voters).
Topics
2024 Election Economic Mobility Economic Trends Economy Health & Safety Net Housing Political Landscape Population Poverty & Inequality Statewide SurveyLearn More
Making Sense of California’s Economy
Priorities for California’s Economy
Most Californians Say Racial Bias Is Linked to Economic Inequality
Remote Work Is Here to Stay
Is the American Dream in California Dying?
Video: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being
How Are Californians Viewing the 2024 Elections?
