WSJ What’s News Who Really Had It Worse: Boomers or Millennials?
40 snips
Apr 14, 2026 
Hannah Miao, WSJ Asia economics reporter who analyzes Chinese export trends. Joe Pinsker, WSJ personal finance reporter who studies generational money issues. They compare wages, housing affordability, and student debt across generations. They also discuss how Middle East tensions are affecting Chinese exports and luxury sales. Smart, data-driven conversation in short bursts.
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Millennial Wage Gap Is Smaller Than You Think
- Millennials' wages adjusted for inflation track similarly to boomers' when compared at the same ages, undermining the claim millennials earn dramatically less.
- Joe Pinsker cites wage comparisons and MIT prof Nathan Wilmers' point that earnings lagged broader economic growth, creating frustration.
Frustration Stems From Lagging Wage Share Not Absolute Pay
- Part of millennials' frustration may come from economy-wide gains outpacing their wage growth, creating a sense of not sharing in prosperity.
- Joe Pinsker relays MIT professor Nathan Wilmers' observation linking wage stagnation to perceived unfairness.
Housing Affordability Swings By Era Not Generation
- Housing affordability depends on era: millennials face high prices and current higher rates, but boomers faced much higher mortgage rates in the early 1980s.
- Joe Pinsker notes boomers' early-80s mortgage rates made buying less affordable than some modern periods.