The Trump economy is delivering results that Americans are feeling in their daily lives — even in deep-blue California.

That is clear from the latest Rainey Center poll, on issue after issue.

Take “affordability.” Californians pay more for gas, more for housing, and more for groceries than almost anywhere else in the country, due to left-wing excess.  

Nationwide, gas prices have tumbled, from a national average above $5 a gallon under President Joe Biden to $2.85 per gallon today, the lowest January prices since 2021.

California remains an outlier, with prices averaging $4.23 per gallon. But even in California, prices are down 15-19 cents from where they were a year ago. 

Nationally, 49% of Americans give President Trump a great deal (27%) or some (22%) credit for lower energy costs. Californians may be paying more than they should, but without the Trump administration’s energy policies, we’d be paying even more.

Or consider groceries.

Egg prices became a symbol of Biden-era inflation, spiking to record highs that squeezed family budgets. Now, 59% of voters say they’ve noticed egg prices coming down at the grocery store (24% say prices have fallen “a lot” and 35% say “somewhat”).

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With national inflation now at 2.7%, down dramatically from its Biden-era peak of 9%, the cumulative price increases of the past few years are finally stabilizing. 

For California families already stretched thin by the highest housing costs in the nation, any relief at the grocery store matters. There’s more work to do, but the trajectory is clear: prices are moderating under Trump.

California is also a border state — and on that front, the turnaround has been dramatic. A majority of voters (53%) now say the border is more secure than when Biden was President, more than double the 24% who say it was more secure under Biden.

When voters learn that illegal border crossings have dropped by 95% since Trump took office, their assessment is even more positive: 54% of those surveyed in our poll rate the administration’s border security performance as excellent (31%) or good (23%).

Secure borders mean less strain on California’s already-stretched public services, and more resources for the Californians who need them most.

Californians can also anticipate tax relief from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has overwhelming support from Americans. Fifty-four percent of voters support the bill, including 28% who strongly support it.

The specific provisions are even more popular, and particularly meaningful for California’s working families.

Our poll found that 69% of Americans support ending federal taxes on tips for service workers; 69% support ending taxes on overtime pay; and 74% support increasing the Child Tax Credit by $200.

When asked if tax savings of $1,000 to $4,000 per year would make a meaningful difference in their household finances, 64% of Americans said yes. 

And voters prefer conservative policies over big government. When asked what they want from Congress, 52% of voters say that upcoming budget talks should focus on reducing inflation rather than expanding government programs. By a 51% to 30% margin, voters prefer fewer services and lower taxes over more government and higher taxes.

Sacramento could learn something from Washington under Trump. Trump’s approach — lower taxes, less regulation, secure borders, and American energy dominance — is showing California what’s possible when government gets out of the way.

Is the economy perfect? No. Too many Americans still feel the lingering effects of Biden-era inflation. Fifty-four percent say current inflation levels are still “too high.” California’s self-imposed costs, from gas taxes to regulatory burdens, continue to make life harder than it needs to be.

But the national direction is unmistakable: things are getting better, and voters know it. The Trump economy is delivering more affordable gas, falling grocery prices, rapid GDP growth, secure borders, and rising stock markets.

This year, Congress should build on the Trump administration’s success by passing tax relief that puts more money in Americans’ pockets. And California’s leaders should take notes.

Sarah Hunt is the President of the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.