Why did U.S. consumer confidence fall to its lowest level since 2014 in September 2026?

Households were hit by a high cost of living and economic uncertainty linked to the Iran war. The Conference Board said consumers increasingly mentioned prices, especially oil and gas, along with broader worries about the economy.

How low did the Conference Board consumer confidence index fall in September 2026, and what was the monthly change?

The index dropped 6.7 points to 81.9 in September, which the Conference Board said was the lowest reading since April 2014. The article describes it as a sharp decline.

How is the Iran war affecting U.S. consumers and retail demand?

The war has pushed fuel costs sharply higher, with average U.S. regular gasoline prices up almost 50 percent since it began. Heather Long warned that consumer anxiety is especially troubling as the key pre-Christmas shopping season starts.

US consumer confidence sinks to lowest level since 2014

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Summary

U.S. consumer confidence plunged in September to 81.9, its lowest level since April 2014, as households faced a high cost of living and economic uncertainty tied to the Iran war. The Conference Board said the index fell 6.7 points, while consumers cited higher prices, especially for goods, services, oil and gas. The weak reading comes as midterm elections approach and shopping season begins.

Key Facts

The Conference Board consumer confidence index fell 6.7 points in September to 81.9, the lowest level since April 2014.
Dana Peterson said consumers’ write-in responses were mostly pessimistic and that references to prices and the high cost of goods and services rose sharply.
U.S. gasoline prices are up almost 50 percent since the start of the Iran war, according to AAA motor club data.
Consumers also frequently cited politics, trade and employment in their comments, though less often than prices and fuel costs.
Heather Long of Navy Federal Credit Union said the data is concerning as the pre-Christmas shopping season begins.

By AFP

Published Sep 30, 2026 3:21 am KST

Shoppers walks through a produce section at a grocery store in Washington, D.C., Jul. 24. Reuters-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence plunged sharply in September to a level not seen since 2014, according to a key benchmark published on Tuesday, with U.S. households battered by a high cost of living and economic uncertainty from the Iran war.

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell by 6.7 points to 81.9 this month, its lowest level since April 2014.

The high cost of living in the United States is a major issue as the country heads into key midterm elections in November, where Democrats are seeking to wrest control of Congress from U.S. President Donald Trump's Republican Party.

"Consumers' write-in responses regarding factors affecting the economy were mostly pessimistic in September," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board.

"References to prices, the high cost of goods and services, and oil and gas prices in particular, rose to new heights, reflecting September's surge in fuel costs."

Global oil prices have skyrocketed since Trump and U.S. ally Israel launched the war against Iran in late February, with Tehran's retaliatory action targeting Washington's allies in the Gulf and virtually shutting a key energy trading route.

In the United States, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is up almost 50 percent since the start of the war, according to data from the AAA motor club.

"Comments about war/conflict eased this month but remained elevated," said Peterson. "Consumers also frequently cited politics, trade, and employment in their write-in responses, though to a lesser extent."

Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said the new data was of concern.

"American consumers are worried about this economy. That's alarming just as the most important shopping season of the year kicks off," she said, referring to the pre-Christmas period that the U.S. retail sector relies on.

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