Is borrowing with usury (riba) forbidden as a matter of means, permissible out of necessity, while consuming riba (lending with riba) is forbidden as a matter of objectives or in itself? And is it conceivable that the punishment for the borrower with riba and the lender with riba is equal, especially given the borrower's need or necessity?

The degrees of what is forbidden (haram) vary. What is inherently forbidden is more severe than what is forbidden due to an external factor. Usury (riba) is among the most forbidden of contracts, yet it also varies in severity. Riba al-nasi'ah (usury of delay) is more severe than riba al-fadl (usury of surplus). There is no difference between the one who consumes usury and the one who feeds it. Usury is not permitted except in cases of necessity or a special need that descends to the level of necessity, in accordance with the regulations of Islamic law.