Final answer:
The yearly income of a family can be below, at, or above the poverty threshold, which impacts their ability to afford basic needs.
For instance, a family living on $17,916 per year would have a food budget of about $17 per day, illustrating the significant financial struggle compared to typical expenditures for a single restaurant appetizer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering income disparities, a family's yearly income in the southeast or in any region could vary significantly compared to a similar family living elsewhere.
The median American family income in 2020 was $67,521, which indicates that half of all families earned more than this amount while the other half earned less. Families earning well below the median, such as a single mother with two children living on approximately $17,916 per year, might struggle significantly with meeting basic needs, including a decent food budget which equates to merely about $17 per day.
This stark reality contrasts with middle-class spending patterns where $17 might only cover an appetizer at a restaurant.
Regarding a family of three earning $20,000, this income level would be above the poverty threshold described, but still, it could present challenges for making ends meet due to costs of living and other expenses that can exceed the minimal benchmarks set by the poverty line.