Why is it so Expensive to be Poor?

Caitlin
Author:
Caitlin
Caitlin Wood, BA
Editor-in-Chief at Loans Canada
Caitlin Wood has more than a decade of experience helping Canadian consumers learn how to take control of their finances. Expertise:
  • Personal finance
  • Consumer borrowing
  • Credit improvement
  • Debt management
📅
Updated On: February 25, 2016
Get a free, no obligation personal loan quote with rates as low as 9.99%
Free quote with no impact to your credit

In Canada, the statistics on poverty aren’t quite clear and there isn’t any real measurement for how many Canadians are, what we might call “poor”. The only way that the government measures poverty is by categorizing people, who make less than half the median income, as “low income”, in Canada 14.9% fall into this category. That being said having a statistically low income is not in fact the only way to measure poverty within our country, whether or not an individual or family has access to the basic resources needed to maintain physical well-being is another way to measure poverty.

The one thing we can probably all agree on is that it is extremely expensive to be poor or low income. People who make less than half the median income rarely have the same financial and economic opportunities as people who make the median income. Let’s take a look at why is it so expensive to be poor.

Are you a low income earner? Learn how to get an affordable loan.

Financial Resources

Probably the most overwhelming effect of being poor is not having access to the same level of financial assistance as a median income earner. Typically the poor do not have steady incomes, this makes it nearly impossible to stay on top of bills, which can and will lead to poor credit, which in return makes it harder and harder to gain access to affordable loans and credit.

Payday Loans

The payday loan industry preys upon the poor. A payday loan is specifically set up to take advantage of those who have no other options; it’s readily available to everyone and anyone. No credit check is performed; all you need is a job. Once you enter the payday loan cycle it becomes next to impossible to get out, it forces you to continue to take out more and more payday loans to pay back the previous ones.

Learn how to get rid of your payday loans here.

High Interest Rates

The high interest rates associated with payday loans and other similar predatory financial products create even more financial issues for the low income. These types of loans become too expensive to actually maintain and therefore missed or late payments are extremely common. Late fees, interest rate increases and other penalties all negatively affect a person’s credit score. And a low credit score can make credit even more expensive and sometimes impossible to get approved for.

Expensive Credit

Credit is a cycle, you need good credit to get more, but you can’t get more until you have good credit. This very idea is why it’s so expensive to be poor. Credit is your financial backbone, therefore having no access to proper affordable credit means a low income earner is more likely to turn to expensive forms of credit like the payday loan. They will typically become trapped in the payday loan cycle thus ruining their credit, often incurring penalties and increasing their interest rates. These are all things that even a median income earner may have trouble financially dealing with, let alone a low income earner. Unfortunately poor credit makes almost all other financial issues or events harder to deal with and all the more expensive.

Household Resources

Obviously not having access to affordable financial resources is one of the larger contributing factors to poverty, but it also contributes to all the other reasons why it’s so expensive to be poor. Being poor is not as simple as, refraining from buying things because you don’t have the money to buy them. It’s much more complicated than that. When you don’t have any form of disposable income or affordable credit you can’t do anything that will help improve your budget and save you money in the long run.

Transportation

While investing in a car to drive to work is expensive it is often an investment in both your time and your future. A low income earner often cannot afford to make this investment and therefore must take public transportation. Public transportation is often unreliable which can lead to being late to work too many times which can then lead to job loss. Loss of income will then create a need to rely even more heavily on expensive loans and credit.

Food

Food is the same viscous cycle. Low income earners who don’t have cars have to buy food at convenient location where prices may be more expensive and quality not as good. They also typically can’t afford to purchase in bulk to save in the long run.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that being poor is expensive for countless reasons, reasons that the average median income earner takes for granted. While it’s reasonable to say that some of these reasons can be overcome, the majority of them simply cannot be.

Caitlin Wood, BA avatar on Loans Canada
Caitlin Wood, BA

Caitlin Wood is the Editor-in-Chief at Loans Canada and specializes in personal finance. She is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University and has been working in the personal finance industry for over ten years. Caitlin has covered various subjects such as debt, credit, and loans. Her work has been published on Zoocasa, GoDaddy, and deBanked. She believes that education and knowledge are the two most important factors in the creation of healthy financial habits. She also believes that openly discussing money and credit, and the responsibilities that come with them can lead to better decisions and a greater sense of financial security.

More From This Author

Special Offers

More From Our Experts

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/line-of-credit-bad-credit-1.png
Can You Get A Line Of Credit If You Have Bad Credit In Canada?

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on October 2, 2025

Can you get a line of credit if you have bad credit in Canada? This blog explains how you can, and the potential perks and drawbacks.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Cash-Secured-Loan-1.png
Your Guide To Secured Loans In Canada

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on October 2, 2025

If you struggle with self-discipline while building savings & good credit, a cash secured loan may be perfect for you. Learn more here.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Top-Growing-Companies-2025-Blog-3.png
Loans Canada Places No. 137 on The Globe and Mail’s Seventh Annual Ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies

By Priyanka Correia, BComm
Updated on September 26, 2025

Loans Canada is proud to be recognized as one of the Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies list for the third time.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/apple-financing.png
Apple Financing Options In Canada: What You Need To Know

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on September 24, 2025

Looking to buy an Apple product but the price tag is a bitt too steep? Consider Apple financing in Canada. Check out this post to learn more.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/What-Is-a-Credit-Reference.png
What Is A Credit Reference In Canada?

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on September 24, 2025

When applying for new credit, your lender may request that you provide a credit reference. Read on to find out more about credit references.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Personal-Loan-Brokers.png
Personal Loan Brokers In Canada

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on September 24, 2025

Looking for the best lender and loan offer? Instead of finding one on your own, consider using a personal loan broker to help.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/loan-origination-fee-1.png
Loan Origination Fee: What You Need To Know

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on September 17, 2025

Loans come with several costs, including loan origination fees. Read on to find out more about how this fee affects your total loan cost.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Miss-a-mortgage-payment.png
What Happens If You Miss A Mortgage Payment?

By Lisa Rennie
Updated on September 12, 2025

Missed a mortgage payment in Canada? Learn about late fees, credit score impact, foreclosure, and the steps you need take.

Recognized As One Of Canada's Top Growing Companies

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers