According to the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey the income gap widened in 2008.

Household incomes declined in all categories but middle income Americans and poor Americans felt a much bigger squeeze. It is believed that this is due to the unemployment of those at the bottom of the income ladder. Those at the top of the income ladder may be taking reductions in pay but they are not experiencing unemployment.

Another trend noted with income disparity is the flight out of the suburbs and back to the city for those at the bottom of the income ladder. The suburbs require transportation from home to work. Usually, city dwellers are able to access public transportation to get to work.