For a lot of Jacksonville residents, the monthly budget is running on fumes. New research shows nearly two thirds of local households say they spend as much or more than they earn, and fewer than half say they can consistently pay bills on time. Worry about debt is now crowding out concerns about work and health, with many people leaning on high interest credit just to cover everyday costs. Similar financial strain is showing up across nearby Southern metros, suggesting this is a broader regional squeeze, not just a Jacksonville problem.
The findings come from The State of Financial Stability in the Southeast, a study produced by VyStar Credit Union in partnership with TransUnion. According to a report by VyStar Credit Union, the study surveyed about 2,800 residents in December 2025 and combined their responses with TransUnion credit files. The report notes that 62 percent of respondents are spending at or above their income, 42 percent are more worried about debt than they were a year ago, and only 48 percent say they can pay bills on time, far below a 71 percent national benchmark.
Financial stress tops other life pressures
Money is now the main thing keeping people up at night. VyStar chief marketing officer Dana Karzan told Action News Jax that finances were cited as a top stressor at more than twice the rate of work, family or even health concerns. She described the report as a kind of roadmap that banks, nonprofits and local officials can use to coordinate solutions. In the meantime, the credit union has rolled out community programs and a debt payoff challenge designed to help participants trim balances and build steadier money habits…