Florida consumer sentiment index falls in June
Florida consumers grew more cautious as inflation concerns, household budget pressure and softer job conditions continued to shape expectations for the economy and major financial decisions.
Floridians grew more cautious in June, a sign that household budgets, inflation concerns and a softer labor market could continue shaping homebuying decisions this summer.
The University of Florida’s consumer sentiment index fell 1.8 points in June to 71.1, down from a revised 72.9 in May. It was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and brought Florida sentiment to its lowest level in two years. National consumer sentiment moved in the opposite direction, improving in June.
“Consumer sentiment among Floridians has fallen by 8 points over the past four months, reaching its lowest level in two years, since May 2024,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “This widespread pessimism coincides with the reemergence of inflation, which continues to strain household budgets. Because prices spiked in everyday categories such as gasoline, consumers are feeling a constant pinch that contributes to a more pessimistic outlook.”
The monthly decline was broad, with four of the five components in the index falling. Over the first half of 2026, all five components declined. In June, the sharpest drop came in expectations for U.S. economic conditions over the next year, while views on whether now is a good time to buy a major household item increased slightly.
Sandoval noted that Florida’s labor market has softened, with the state unemployment rate remaining above the national average.
“Looking ahead, consumer confidence could improve if inflationary pressures ease, providing some relief to household budgets, while labor market conditions remain stable. Together, these conditions could support a recovery in consumer sentiment,” Sandoval added.
For housing conversations, the numbers point to a familiar reality: many households are still weighing confidence, affordability and timing before making a major financial decision. Buyers may need updated payment estimates, sellers may need clearer pricing conversations and both sides may need help understanding how economic uncertainty can affect the pace of a transaction.
The UF survey was conducted May 1 through June 25 and included 394 Floridians.
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