The gap between the rich and the poor during the late 19th century can be expressed in:

Monthly budget of a laborer, his wife, and one child in 1891; his income is $23.67 Monthly budget of a married bank accountant with no children 1892; his income is about $66.50
Food $6.51 Food $13.22
Rent $9.02 Rent $9.88
Taxes and insurance $3.32 Taxes and insurance $7.11
Utilities $2.94 Utilities $4.99
Transportation $.08 Transportation $1.71
all else= total $28.01 all else = total $43.17

Source: Zunz, The Changing Face of Inequality, 1982

LABOR FORCE DISTRIBUTION, 1879-1900; U.S. Census
1870 1880 1890 1900
WORKING CLASS 53.3%

FARMER 32.0%

 WORKING CLASS 52.3%

FARMER 32.1%

 WORKING CLASS 54.3%

FARMER 26.3%

 WORKING  CLASS 53.2%

FARMER 25.3%

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census