The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the inflation-adjusted median household income rose 4% to $80,610 in 2023, recovering to levels seen in 2019 after significant price spikes over the past four decades. The poverty rate also saw a slight decline to 11.1%, while the income gap between men and women widened for the first time in over twenty years. This data is expected to be a focal point in the upcoming presidential campaign, with Vice President Kamala Harris potentially highlighting the recovery as a sign of financial health amidst inflation concerns. Former President Donald Trump may counter by noting faster income growth during his administration before the pandemic. Despite regaining purchasing power, the report indicates that there has been no substantial increase in living standards from 2019 to 2023, contrasting with a 14% rise in the prior four years. Overall, while the median household income reflects a rebound, the economic landscape remains complex.