Food prices have increased by 25%, taking up over 11% of income in the US. Despite inflation, people spend more in restaurants. Meanwhile, TVs, air conditioning, and car services became cheaper. This has resulted in a big drop in the standard of living for many people. There has been a lot of theorising about why so many Americans feel worse off economically. True, real wages are now finally increasing, the labour market is great, the stock market is up, and consumers are spending. But none of this amounts to a complete picture of Americans' quality of life.