What is a primary cause of urban inequality that leads to disparities in access to education and healthcare among city residents?

Economic inequality is a primary cause of urban inequality that creates gaps in education and healthcare. When families earn more, they can live in neighborhoods that have better-funded schools, more doctors, and safer streets. This unequal distribution of money and services makes it harder for residents in poorer districts to get quality schooling and medical care. For example, a student in a wealthy suburb might attend a school with a 1:25 teacher‑student ratio, while a student in a low‑income area faces a 1:60 ratio and fewer clinic visits. These differences reinforce a cycle where disadvantaged groups stay stuck in poorer conditions.