Whatever the item, people don’t want to pay surge pricing for it

However, younger Americans are more willing to pay surge pricing than the general population, according to new data from the Ipsos Consumer Tracker

The Ipsos Consumer Tracker asks Americans questions about culture, the economy and the forces that shape our lives. Here's one thing we learned this week.

Chart showing that one in three people would be willing to pay surge pricing

Why we asked: While ride-share and other sectors have charged more during peak times for a while, the idea of “surge pricing” has started to spill into other industries. How willing are people to pay those prices?

What we found: For the most part, we’re not that into the idea. Only about one in three supported paying more across the five categories we asked. 

But, and this is a big but, the younger 18-34 cohort was much more willing. Like, a majority in each category more. The older 55+ cohort was in the single digits. 

Partially, that’s going to be related to those who are in the market for these items, like concert tickets. Similarly, lower-income Americans were more willing to pay more for fast food. Partially, it could also be that younger Americans are just more used to this from ridesharing, etc. So if this is something your brand is thinking about, it probably begs some more consideration and, dare we say, research.

More insights from this wave of the Ipsos Consumer Tracker:

We’re trending more social in our NCAA hoops plans

The Ipsos Care-o-Meter: What does America know about vs. what does America care about?

The author(s)

Related news

  • Latest U.S. opinion polls
    Politics Survey

    Latest U.S. opinion polls

    What are the data and trends shaping America today? Explore our latest opinion polls to learn more.
  • Nine trends that explain 2025
    Polling Survey

    Nine trends that explain 2025

    As 2025 winds down, Ipsos looks back on what was an eventful year. From the economy to artificial intelligence, here are the big trends that shaped the past year
  • Optimism will prevail
    Polling Survey

    Optimism will prevail

    Below are five charts on how Americans felt about 2025, America’s predictions for 2026, and Americans’ optimism about their own lives