October Consumer Confidence Rebounds to 91.7 as Affordability Concerns Persist

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U.S. consumer confidence rebounded in October, according to a survey released October 27 by The Conference Board, although households remained concerned about prices and their economic prospects.

The Consumer Confidence Index rose 7.5 points to 91.7 from an upwardly revised 84.2 in September. The Present Situation Index increased to 120.4, while the Expectations Index climbed to 72.6.

Improvement Does Not Erase Affordability Concerns

The expectations measure improved after three consecutive monthly declines but remained below 80, a threshold The Conference Board has historically associated with recession risk. The October survey’s preliminary responses were collected October 1 through October 21.

The survey measures consumer sentiment and purchasing intentions, not actual home sales or mortgage applications. A stronger overall confidence reading therefore does not necessarily imply an immediate recovery in housing demand.

The Conference Board said consumers’ assessments of current and future business conditions improved, while write-in responses continued to highlight frustration with living costs. For housing professionals, the split between improving sentiment and persistent affordability pressure remains important as borrowing costs and household budgets influence purchase decisions.

Simple Content Summary

Consumer confidence increased to 91.7 in October 2026, up from 84.2 in September. Consumers felt better about current conditions and the near-term outlook, but expectations remained weak and affordability concerns persisted.