Americans are working harder than ever and still can’t afford the basics. Housing, healthcare, education, and childcare; the costs keep climbing.
Our goal
To help Americans understand what’s really driving rising costs—clearly, honestly, and grounded in real economics. It’s what FEE has done for 80 years.
Why the question matters
Affordability sits at the core of America’s problems in 2026. And when prices spiral, capitalism becomes the easy target. But the harder, more honest question is one almost no one is asking: what if the sectors crushing American budgets aren’t actually free markets at all?
Healthcare, education, housing, and childcare are some of the most heavily regulated, subsidized, and mandated industries in the American economy. They aren’t capitalism, and Americans deserve better.
How to join in and win
Step 1. Take the quiz
Three minutes. Ten questions, and you are entered into the sweepstakes.
Step 2. Fly to Atlanta
Twelve finalists will be randomly selected to compete in The Affordability Showdown.
Step 3. The Affordability Showdown
Subscribe to @FEEonline’s YouTube, watch the finale, and participate to win more prizes.
Americans can't afford healthcare. Go to college. Buy a home. But what's really behind it? You might think you know. We have a million dollars that says, What if you're wrong?
Rent can feel like a number somebody made up. It isn’t. It comes from a chain you can follow: people want to live somewhere → local rules cap how much housing can be built there → homes stay scarce → rents rise. Follow the chain for your city and find out which links are broken and how you could fix it.