At the poorest levels wages are slowest to increase due to inflation, and there aren't cheaper beans and rice to buy at the grocery store. At the mid levels, maybe a cost of living raise eats half the current inflation, and switching to cheaper brand items can make up the difference. At the highest levels some may see inflation beating raises, have inflation protected assets, and have disposable income so inflation maybe means not going out to eat as much or not getting a new car.