Millions of Virginians are struggling to pay household bills

Data: Household Pulse Survey ; Note: Includes households where it has been somewhat or very difficult to pay for usual household expenses in last seven days; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Just over 2.3 million adults in Virginia are struggling to pay for their living expenses , according to recent Census data.

Why it matters: 35% of the state's adult population is facing the impact of high and rising prices of food, child care, transportation and utilities.

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The big picture: Virginia's percentage is lower than other southern states and the national average of 37% recorded between late June and late July.

• It's also higher than 17 other states plus D.C., which has the lowest share of adults in the U.S. saying it's somewhat or very difficult to cover their basic needs at 19%.
• The highest is Mississippi at nearly 50%.

Yes, but: Other figures suggest the situation among Virginians is worse.

• In a 1,278-person poll from No Kid Hungry Virginia this week, 78% said groceries had become more unaffordable this past year.
• That percentage was higher in rural communities, where 82% said groceries were getting harder to afford.
• And close to 60% of all Virginians polled said they're more stressed now about affording food to eat than they were 12 months ago.

Plus: Having a place to live is more expensive, especially in cities like Richmond where more than half of residents are spending 30% or more of their income on monthly rent.

What we're watching: A new report out last week suggested that the inflation crisis might be over. The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates to take some pressure off the economy.

Go deeper: Read Axios' national story