To be poor in America, you need to earn less than half of the median income. The poverty threshold for a family of four is $26,500.
In America, being poor means you are struggling to make ends meet. Poverty forces you to live in a home that is smaller than you would like, and you have very little money left over after paying your monthly bills.
The standard of living in America is high. Americans who live below the poverty line often cannot afford housing or food. A family of four with a $20,000 income may not be able to afford food or adequate shelter.