The Cost of Luxury vs Necessity by Hazel Maria Bala

This Mondrian-inspired visualization explores the economic divide between necessity and luxury for the average American household. Using 2023 data to gauge living wages—given that the U.S. Census Bureau’s full 2024 data is not yet available—it still achieves a compelling comparison, revealing the stark contrast between rising essential costs like housing and education and the unattainable price of luxury goods.

By transforming raw data into a striking visual narrative, this piece captures more than numbers—it reflects the evolving financial reality of contemporary American life.