The federal poverty line in the United States is a universal measure that applies equally across all demographics, indicating that all individuals below this line have the same level of economic vulnerability.

The federal poverty line is a standard used to determine who is considered to be living in poverty in the United States. It sets a specific income level, and if a person's income falls below this line, they are seen as economically vulnerable. However, this measure does not take into account differences in living costs across various regions or the unique circumstances of different groups, such as families with children or elderly individuals. For example, a family of four living in a city with high housing costs may struggle significantly more than a single person living in a rural area, even if their incomes are the same. Therefore, while the poverty line provides a useful guideline, it may not fully capture the complexity of poverty experienced by different people.