Nov. 7, 2026 - Download PDF Version

Figures for Every State and Congressional District

According to news reports, the Department of Defense’s Central Command reported to Congress that the Iran war has cost Americans $47.1 billion as of October 16, 2026. That estimate doesn’t include the cost of damages to U.S. bases in the region, among other costs.  Independent estimates suggest that the cost of the war could be much higher.

The first months of the war were enabled by a historically high $1 trillion war budget. And yet Congress is now considering increasing the $1 trillion war budget, a move that would only enable the continuation of the war.

Meanwhile, last year’s H.R. 1 cut Medicaid and SNAP benefits even while it boosted spending for war and weapons. Because of H.R. 1 and other policies, more than 14 million people are at risk of losing health insurance. Some 5.5 millionpeople have already lost SNAP food benefits since H.R. 1 was enacted. 

Every additional dollar that goes to the Pentagon will enable more bad choices at a time when Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities.

This analysis shows each congressional district’s estimated contribution to the $47.1 billion cost of the Iran war, alongside how many people in that district could receive Medicaid or SNAP for the same amount of money: 

• Nationally, the $47.1 billion expenditure on the Iran war so far could fully cover a year of SNAP benefits for every person who has lost benefits more than three times over.
• If independent estimates are more accurate, the $103.3 billion spent by the end of June 2026 would have been enough to fully cover a year of Medicaid for all 14 million Americans at risk of losing health insurance AND full SNAP benefits for all 5.5 million people who have lost benefits, with billions to spare.

A table for congressional districts can be found here.

Estimated state taxpayer share of the $47.1 billion Iran war cost, compared with the number of people who could receive Medicaid or SNAP Instead