Difference Between Rich and Poor

Key difference: The rich have money and wealth; hence they can afford to spend frivolously other than spending on their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. The poor on the other hand lack money and hence struggle to meet their basic needs and demands.

The term ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ are used to describe people on the opposite sides of the spectrum. The rich have money and wealth; hence they can afford to spend frivolously other than spending on their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. The poor on the other hand lack money and hence struggle to meet their basic needs and demands.

The rich are people who have wealth. Wealth is the abundance of valuable resources or material possessions, including, money, funds, property, etc. The poor are the people who live in poverty. Poverty is the deprivation of food, shelter, money and clothing that occurs when people cannot satisfy their basic needs. Poverty can be understood simply as a lack of money, or more broadly in terms of barriers and difficulties in everyday life. Absolute poverty, destitution or extreme poverty is a state when there is a severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter, health care, education and information.

Other than people, the terms can also be used to describe things, land, nation, region, resources, etc. An individual, community, region or country that possesses an abundance of such possessions or resources is known as wealthy. Or in case of lacking an abundance of such possessions or resources is known as poor.

Dictionary.com states the description of ‘rich’ as:

Having wealth or great possessions; abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds; wealthy: a rich man; a rich nation.
Abounding in natural resources: a rich territory.
Having wealth or valuable resources (usually followed by in): a country rich in traditions.
Abounding (usually followed by in or with): a countryside rich in beauty; a design rich with colors.
Of great value or worth; valuable: a rich harvest.
(Of food) delectably and perhaps unhealthfully spicy, or sweet and abounding in butter or cream: rich gravy; a rich pastry.
Costly, expensively elegant, or fine, as dress or jewels.
Sumptuous; elaborately abundant: a rich feast.
Using valuable materials or characterized by elaborate workmanship, as buildings or furniture.
Abounding in desirable elements or qualities: a man rich in kindness.
(Of wine) strong and finely flavored.
(Of color) deep, strong, or vivid: rich purple.
Full and mellow in tone: rich sounds; a rich voice.
Strongly fragrant; pungent: a rich odor.
Producing or yielding abundantly: a rich soil.
Abundant, plentiful, or ample: a rich supply.

Dictionary.com described ‘poor’ as:

Having little or no money, goods, or other means of support: a poor family living on welfare.
Law. Dependent upon charity or public support.
(Of a country, institution, etc.) Meagerly supplied or endowed with resources or funds.
Characterized by or showing poverty.
Deficient or lacking in something specified: a region poor in mineral deposits.
Faulty or inferior, as in construction: poor workmanship.
Deficient in desirable ingredients, qualities, or the like: poor soil.
Excessively lean or emaciated, as cattle.
Of an inferior, inadequate, or unsatisfactory kind: poor health.
Lacking in skill, ability, or training: a poor cook.
Deficient in moral excellence; cowardly, abject, or mean.
Scanty, meager, or paltry in amount or number: a poor audience.
Humble; modest: They shared their poor meal with a stranger.
Unfortunate; hapless: The poor dog was limping.