U.S. household income has finally surpassed the levels seen before the pandemic, according to data from the Census Bureau. In 2025, the median household income—meaning the income that separates the top half from the bottom half of households—increased by 2.6% after adjusting for inflation, reaching $87,460. This marks a record high and exceeds the 2019 median income of $85,320. Despite this growth, the increase is modest when viewed over a six-year span, which may help explain the general sense of economic unease among Americans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Affordability has become a key concern for many Americans, especially as inflation has driven up the cost of goods and services. This issue is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming midterm elections, where voters may be swayed by candidates' positions on economic policy. The Census data shows that household income has grown by 2.5% since 2019, but the rate of growth was much faster in the previous six years, from 2013 to 2019, when inflation was low and unemployment was falling. During that period, household income rose by 19%. The report also highlights gender differences in income growth. Women’s paychecks increased by 3.2% in 2025, while men’s paychecks saw only a slight decline. This growth for women helped narrow the gender wage gap, though it remains a significant issue. On average, women still earn about 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, up from less than 81 cents in 2024. While progress has been made, the gap still reflects ongoing challenges in achieving pay equity. Overall, the data shows that while U.S. households are now earning more than they did before the pandemic, the pace of growth has slowed. This has contributed to a sense of economic stagnation among many Americans, despite the positive trend in income. The coming months will likely see continued focus on how to address rising costs and ensure that income growth keeps pace with the needs of households across the country.