How does the economy under a Democrat Congress stack up against a Republican Congress?
We compared the first 18 months of each, from January of the first year in office through July of the second, using official government data.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: The First 18 Months Side by Side
| Change in office | Biden + Democrat Congress (Jan 2021 to Jul 2022) | Trump + Republican Congress (Jan 2025 to Jul 2026) |
| Inflation rate (annual, July of year two) | 8.5% | 3.4% |
| Core inflation (cumulative) | +9.1% | +3.7% |
| Real wages (hourly pay after inflation) | −2.1% | +0.9% |
| 30-year mortgage rate | +2.67 points | −0.42 points |
| Monthly mortgage payment ($400K loan) | +$618 | −$112 |
| Home prices | +29.8% | +4.2% |
| Eggs (per dozen) | +100% | −56% |
| Bread (per pound) | +10.9% | −5.5% |
| Stock market (S&P 500) | +3.1% | +25.1% |
Change from January of the first year in office to July of the second year (home prices through Q2/July). Sources: BLS CPI-U (inflation rate as officially reported; core inflation seasonally adjusted) and average prices; BLS average hourly earnings, production and nonsupervisory workers; Freddie Mac PMMS; S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. Home Price Index; S&P 500 monthly average. All via FRED.
Under a Republican Congress, Americans Saw:
LOWER INFLATION
A 3.4% inflation rate, compared with 8.5% under a Democrat Congress.
BETTER WAGES
Paychecks gained ground on inflation (+0.9%) instead of losing it (−2.1%).
SLOWER GROWTH IN HOME AND GROCERY PRICES
Home prices rose 4.2% instead of 29.8%, and the price of eggs and bread came down.
A STRONG STOCK MARKET
The S&P 500 rose 25.1%, compared with 3.1%.
Don’t Turn Back the Clock
We’ve seen what 18 months of a Democrat Congress did to inflation, paychecks and the cost of a home. We can’t afford to go back. Make your plan to vote.
