Every year around this time, the familiar debate returns: spring forward or fall back? As daylight saving time approaches, Americans once again weigh the tradeoff between longer evening daylight and an extra hour of sleep. According to CivicScience data, 56% of U.S. adults say they prefer “spring forward,” while 44% say they prefer “fall back” (excluding those who are unsure).

Preferences vary widely across demographic groups. Gen Z adults aged 18–29 are the most likely to favor “fall back,” while support for “spring forward” increases steadily with age, with nearly 70% of adults 65+ preferring the extra evening daylight. Income also plays a role: those earning $100K or more annually are the most likely to prefer spring forward, while middle- and lower-income households are more inclined to favor fall back. Geography adds another layer, with city residents and those living in the Midwest most likely to prefer spring forward, while non-urban residents and those in the South lean more toward fall back.

But demographics aren’t the only thing separating these two groups. CivicScience data reveal several lifestyle differences between those who favor spring forward and those who prefer fall back:

• Getting Out of the House: Those who favor spring forward are seven points more likely to say their desire to leave the house has increased recently, while those who prefer fall back show a similar lead in saying their desire to go out has decreased.
• Spending Habits: Nearly 80% of spring-forward supporters say they’re careful about spending money. While fall-back supporters also tend to report careful spending, they’re more likely than spring-forward supporters to say they have difficulty controlling their spending.
• Trying New Foods: Those who prefer spring forward are twice as likely to describe themselves as very adventurous when trying new foods (31% vs. 15%).
• Sleep Comfort: Fans of fall back are 13 points more likely to say they need three blankets for a good night’s sleep.
• Movie Habits: Those who prefer spring forward are six points more likely to say they always fall asleep during movies at the theater.
• Sleeping in New Places: Spring-forward supporters are also 14 points more likely to say they have a somewhat easy time falling asleep in a new place.

While the debate over daylight saving time continues each year, the data suggest that preferences may reflect more than just a desire for extra daylight or sleep. They’re also tied to broader lifestyle habits—from spending and social behavior to sleep comfort and adventurous tastes.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.