1. A methodlogical problem is how to deal with the fact that many frum people receive de facto income in ways that minimize tax liability, but are hard to count. A large percentage of frum families get all or part of their parnassah from frum institutional jobs, and are paid in part with tuition discounts from their institution and “parsonage” deductions (a tax procedure to allow religious institutions to give tax free housing allowances).
2. Many frum families receive tsadakkah. Most frum families qualify for various sorts of government welfare benefits, including the obvious ones such as WIC, Section 8 housing, CHIPS, etc., as well as programs such as financial aid for universities (which is rigged in favor of large families – a frum family in the “1%” would probably qualify).
3. “Make ends meet” is very controversial. Does it include “kosher” brands when there are general brands with good hecksherim? What about large weddings (the rabbanim advise against, and are generally ignored)? Overnight camp? Seminary in Israel for the girls? Boarding school for students in cities that have adequate Torah institutions to learn in? An automobile in a metropolitian area that has public transit?