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The common saying is “time is money,” but what about when they’re pitted against each other? CivicScience has been tracking how Americans answer the time vs. money question since 2021, and the latest look reveals a shift over the past few years.
While respondents are still far more likely to say they value time over money (excluding those who said ‘both equally’), that percentage has fallen by a noteworthy five percentage points over the last two years. With factors like the 2024 election, a new administration taking office, tariff policies / economic uncertainty all contributing to drive a greater importance behind money.
The data also reveal a stark divide between U.S. adults over and under the age of 30 – 75% of those 30+ value time over money, far higher than those under 30, Gen Z (59%). Additionally, men are slightly more likely than women to value money over time (29% to 28%, respectively).
Weigh In: Do you personally value time more than money, or money more than time?
How do these two groups compare?
A deep dive into Civicscience’s database of 10K+ always-on attributes reveals a clear picture as to what may be driving whether they value time or money. The answers may not be too surprising, with those who value money being less optimistic about the future outlook of the U.S. economy and their income in the next six months. They are also twice as likely to consider themselves ‘not at all financially literate.’ But these attributes only scratch the surface of what separates the two groups. Here’s what else the data has to show:
‘Time’ can mean many different things to different people, but CivicScience also examined how spare time (defined here as time that’s free of school, work, and/or household responsibilities) on an average weekday, factors in. While the results are unsurprising—people who value ‘time’ have much less of it to spare for themselves on weekdays—the gap is significant. More than one-quarter of time-valuers say they have less than an hour of spare time on an average weekday; meanwhile, 6 in 10 of those who value money more say they have more than three hours.
How people use their free time reflects what they value most. Those who prioritize money are more likely to relax or spend time on hobbies. In contrast, time valuers tend to use their spare moments to connect with loved ones or focus on personal matters.
The increasing share of Americans who prioritize money over time points to a growing sense of financial insecurity, particularly among younger adults and those with limited economic optimism. As economic volatility and political uncertainty continue to shape consumer sentiment, this shift could signal a broader reevaluation of personal priorities—suggesting that, for many, financial stability may be starting to outweigh self-fulfillment.
