See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: Teacher Salaries Around the World See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Top teacher salaries exceed $170K in some countries, with starting pay near $100K. Germany and Switzerland also offer six-figure peak salaries, far above most OECD countries. In lower-paying countries, starting salaries can fall below $30K with limited long-term growth. In some countries, teaching is a six-figure career. In others, salaries remain far lower even after decades of experience. This chart compares statutory salaries for upper secondary teachers across OECD countries, using PPP-adjusted 2022 dollars. Data comes from the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025 report. To put this in perspective, the highest-paid teachers earn more than double the OECD average top salary of about $76,000, highlighting how wide the global pay gap can be. Where Teacher Pay Reaches Six Figures Luxembourg stands far ahead, with starting salaries near $100,000 and top pay reaching over $170,000. Germany and Switzerland also offer six-figure peak salaries, but still trail Luxembourg by a wide margin. This gap shows how much outliers can skew global comparisons. CountryStarting SalaryAfter 15 YearsTop of Scale Luxembourg$99,621$137,418$173,165 Germany$90,567$107,491$122,251 Switzerland$90,469—$137,378 Mexico$61,856$75,953$75,953 Norway$61,833$69,446$77,382 Austria$61,742$83,166$126,691 Spain$61,074$70,856$87,304 Türkiye$59,766$67,091$77,396 Denmark$59,762$77,664$77,664 Netherlands$58,805$102,711$121,026 Australia$57,477$81,842$92,959 United States$52,893$76,442$83,410 Sweden$51,479$58,755$67,678 Scotland$51,285$64,368$64,368 Canada$50,077$87,285$87,299 Finland$48,930$61,685$65,386 Iceland$48,176$61,204$61,204 OECD Average$47,339$63,925$76,535 France$47,220$53,086$74,214 Ireland$43,344$70,865$81,631 New Zealand$41,726$67,121$67,121 England$41,468$63,995$63,995 Portugal$41,321$52,740$87,367 Italy$40,947$50,917$63,432 Lithuania$39,107$44,970$51,172 S. Korea$37,773$65,765$104,786 Slovenia$36,597$56,323$67,365 Japan$34,863$54,168$68,276 Colombia$31,723$57,853$57,853 Israel$31,176$44,444$63,367 Chile$30,977$46,525$57,433 Hungary$30,692$34,949$42,039 Poland$28,712$41,355$43,101 Czechia$27,348$30,359$35,962 Costa Rica$26,678$33,673$40,668 Brazil$24,526—— Slovakia$23,371$26,913$30,102 Greece$23,363$30,627$45,153 Dataset Average$47,265$63,165$76,219 Mid-Tier Countries Show Strong Growth Potential While starting pay is moderate in countries like Canada and the Netherlands, long-term earnings can rise significantly. In Canada, salaries increase from roughly $50K to over $87K, one of the largest jumps in the dataset. The Netherlands also shows one of the steepest pay progressions in the dataset. Where Teacher Pay Falls Furthest Behind At the lower end of the scale, starting salaries in countries like Slovakia, Greece, and Brazil can fall below $30K. Even at peak levels, earnings often remain below the OECD average, highlighting major disparities in how education systems compensate teachers. In some countries, salaries increase very little over time, limiting long-term earnings. This can contribute to teacher shortages, lower retention, and differences in education quality. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Comparing Education Levels Across 45 Countries on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: America’s Best States to Live In See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Massachusetts ranks #1, but several Midwest states now dominate the top 10. Idaho and Wisconsin outperform major coastal states on overall livability. Many of the most affordable states rank near the bottom, highlighting a “livability paradox.” What makes a state a great place to live in 2025? Using data from WalletHub, which evaluates 51 metrics across affordability, economic opportunity, safety, and health, this map ranks all 50 U.S. states by quality of life. The results point to a shift in where Americans can achieve the highest standard of living. While coastal states still lead in income and infrastructure, many Midwest and Mountain states are rising by combining affordability, safety, and economic stability. Ranked: Where Quality of Life Is Highest in America Massachusetts tops the ranking thanks to a combination of high incomes, leading healthcare access, and a dense network of top universities, but coastal states no longer dominate the list. States like Idaho (#2) and New Hampshire (#7) show that quality of life is increasingly driven by safety and economic stability, not just taxes or climate. Below is the full breakdown of all 50 states, ranked by their total score. Figures are rounded. RankStateTotal Score 1Massachusetts60.2 2Idaho60.2 3New Jersey59.8 4Wisconsin59.7 5Minnesota58.7 6Florida58.5 7New Hampshire58.2 8Utah57.9 9New York57.9 10Pennsylvania57.9 11Wyoming57.9 12Iowa56.2 13Maine56.2 14Virginia56.2 15Montana55.2 16North Dakota54.6 17Illinois54.6 18South Dakota54.1 19Colorado53.6 20Nebraska52.9 21Vermont52.7 22North Carolina52.3 23Kansas52.2 24Connecticut52.1 25Rhode Island52.1 26Ohio51.6 27Georgia51.6 28Missouri51.2 29Indiana51.2 30Michigan51.1 30Arizona51.0 32California50.5 33Delaware50.0 34Maryland49.8 35Hawaii49.4 36Washington49.2 37Kentucky47.5 38Texas47.2 39Oregon47.2 40Tennessee47.0 41Alabama47.0 42West Virginia47.0 43Oklahoma46.3 44South Carolina45.7 45Nevada44.6 46Alaska44.2 47Mississippi43.5 48Arkansas42.1 49Louisiana40.6 50New Mexico39.7 One of the clearest trends in the 2025 rankings is the rise of the Midwest as a quality-of-life leader. With Wisconsin (#4) and Minnesota (#5) in the top five, the region stands out for balancing strong economic, health, and educational outcomes with relatively better affordability. States Ranking Near the Bottom The lowest-ranked states cluster into a clear pattern at the bottom of the map. New Mexico (#50) and Louisiana (#49) remain the only states to score around 40 points, hampered by systemic gaps in healthcare infrastructure and safety. Moreover, the bottom quartile of the list contains many of the nation’s most “affordable” states. This creates a “livability paradox”: states with the lowest costs often rank poorly overall, as weaker healthcare, safety, and economic mobility offset their affordability advantages. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.

Ranked: The Busiest U.S. Airports by Flights This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Chicago O’Hare sees a takeoff or landing every 37 seconds, the fastest pace in the U.S. Four major hubs each handle more than 700,000 flights annually. Airport rankings shift when measured by flight frequency instead of passenger volume. Most airport rankings focus on passenger traffic, but that only tells part of the story. A different metric, aircraft movements, shows how often planes are actually taking off and landing. Using Federal Aviation Administration data, this visualization by Julie Peasley ranks the busiest U.S. airports by total flights in 2025. At the top, Chicago O’Hare operates at an almost continuous pace, with a takeoff or landing every 37 seconds. U.S. Airports With the Most Flights Here’s a look at America’s top airports by flights: RankAirportAirport CodeAircraft operations (2025) 1Chicago O’HareORD857,392 2Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson InternationalATL805,268 3Dallas/Fort Worth InternationalDFW743,394 4Denver InternationalDEN705,469 5Harry Reid InternationalLAS586,871 6Los Angeles InternationalLAX580,996 7Charlotte Douglas InternationalCLT574,193 8Miami InternationalMIA502,771 9Phoenix Sky Harbor InternationalPHX487,143 10John F. Kennedy InternationalJFK468,570 11Houston IntercontinentalIAH457,843 12Seattle–Tacoma InternationalSEA435,896 Chicago O’Hare leads by a wide margin, followed by Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth. Notably, the top four airports all exceed 700,000 annual operations, underscoring their immense throughput and operational complexity. To put this in perspective, here’s how quickly flights move at the top airports: O’Hare (ORD): every 37 seconds Atlanta (ATL): every 39 seconds Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): every 42 seconds Denver (DEN): every 45 seconds Even small differences translate into tens of thousands of additional flights per year. Why the Busiest Airport Isn’t Always the Most Crowded Passenger rankings favor bigger planes. Flight rankings favor more planes. That’s why airports like Chicago O’Hare and Denver rise to the top. They move aircraft more frequently, not just more people. For context, some of the world’s busiest passenger airports do not appear at the top of this list. That’s because larger aircraft can carry more people per flight, reducing total movements even at high-traffic hubs. O’Hare’s lead comes down to frequency. Over a full day, that 37-second pace adds up to more than 2,300 flights, far ahead of any other U.S. airport. Meanwhile, airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor and Charlotte Douglas also rank highly because of their roles as connecting hubs, handling constant waves of arrivals and departures throughout the day. The Role of Connectivity and Hub Strategy Airports with strong airline hub operations naturally generate more aircraft movements. Carriers schedule tightly coordinated banks of flights to maximize connections, leading to frequent takeoffs and landings. According to broader aviation analysis, highly connected airports tend to prioritize network efficiency over sheer passenger volume. This helps explain why hubs like Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth rank so highly, since they act as central nodes in national air travel. Just How Busy Is “Busy”? To put these numbers in perspective, even the 10th-ranked airport, New York’s JFK, handles a flight roughly every 67 seconds. At the top end, O’Hare’s near-continuous operations require precise coordination between air traffic control, ground crews, and airlines. This near-constant flow of aircraft highlights how modern air travel depends on precision and coordination at scale. As flight demand grows, the busiest airports aren’t just moving more people. They’re managing an increasingly nonstop stream of planes. Learn More on the Voronoi App For more aviation insights, check out U.S. Airports with Most Bird Strikes on the Voronoi app.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Best-Selling Video Games in History See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Tetris tops the list with 520 million copies—but its total depends on how versions are counted. Minecraft (350M) is the biggest single-release success in gaming history. Grand Theft Auto V (225M) became the fastest-selling entertainment product ever. Video games have produced some of the best-selling entertainment products ever—but the top spot isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. This ranking uses updated sales data from HP (2026) to compare the top-selling video games of all time, led by Tetris at more than 520 million units sold. However, its position is debated because the game has been released across dozens of platforms since 1984. If each version is counted separately, Minecraft would take the crown, highlighting how the industry’s biggest hits span generations, platforms, and business models. Is Tetris Really the Best-Selling Game Ever? Tetris is widely considered the best-selling video game of all time, but that title depends on how its many versions are counted. Since 1984, the game has been rereleased across dozens of platforms, contributing to its 520 million total. Some analysts count each version separately. Under that approach, Minecraft would rank as the best-selling single-release game in history. RankGameUnits SoldYear 1Tetris520M1984 2Minecraft350M2009 3Grand Theft Auto V225M2013 4Wii Sports83M2006 5Red Dead Redemption 282M2018 6Mario Kart 8 Deluxe79M2014 7PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds75M2017 8Terraria64M2011 9The Witcher 360M2015 9Skyrim60M2011 11Super Mario Bros.58M1985 12Human: Fall Flat55M2016 13Overwatch50M2016 13The Sims50M2000 13Stardew Valley50M2016 Despite gaming’s decades-long history, most of the top-selling titles were released after 2010. Franchises like Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and Terraria reflect the shift toward digital distribution, live-service updates, and global player communities. The Rise of the Creeper In 2009, Swedish game developer Mojang Studios launched early access for Minecraft, a sandbox game that allows players to create, fight, and mine while engaging with a massive online community. Nearly two decades later, Minecraft has become the defining game of the modern era, with 350 million copies sold worldwide. It was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014. Today, the game’s large fan community has led to the development of the annual Minecon convention, as well as a 2025 film adaptation, A Minecraft Movie, which grossed over $960 million at the box office. GTA V and the Rockstar Reign In November 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released. Much of the anticipation stems from its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, which generated over $1 billion in sales within three days of its 2013 launch, making it the fastest-selling entertainment product in history at the time. Since then, Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 225 million copies worldwide, surpassing even bundled titles like Nintendo’s Wii Sports (83 million). Few games released since Grand Theft Auto V have matched its commercial success. Red Dead Redemption 2, also developed by Rockstar Games, has reached 82 million sales, ahead of titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (79 million), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (60 million), and Super Mario Bros. (58 million). Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out the Top 10 Best-Selling Console Video Games of 1980.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The Happiest States in America See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Hawaii ranks as the happiest U.S. state, with Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey close behind. West Virginia places last, with a gap of over 30 points between the top and bottom states. Northeastern states dominate the top 10, while Southern states make up most of the bottom tier. Your state might play a bigger role in your happiness than you think. This map ranks all 50 states using a composite “happiness score,” revealing a wide gap between top-performing states like Hawaii and lower-ranked ones like West Virginia. The difference between first and last place exceeds 30 points, highlighting stark disparities in well-being across the country. The data comes from WalletHub, which evaluated states across 30 metrics tied to emotional and physical health, income growth, work conditions, and community factors. Why Hawaii and the Northeast Dominate the Rankings Hawaii’s top ranking reflects strong performance across emotional well-being and community-related metrics. The Northeast stands out as a clear hotspot for happiness, with multiple states clustering near the top of the rankings. In contrast, much of the South appears near the bottom, reinforcing a clear regional divide in overall well-being. The data table below shows the happiness score and ranking of all 50 U.S. states: RankStateHappiness Score 1Hawaii65.5 2Maryland64.1 3Nebraska63.6 4New Jersey63.4 5Connecticut62.5 6Utah61.1 7California60.1 8New Hampshire59.6 9Massachusetts59.2 10Idaho58.3 11Minnesota58.2 12Delaware56.1 13South Dakota55.9 14Florida55.9 15Virginia55.5 16New York55.4 17Iowa55.4 18Pennsylvania54.7 19Georgia53.9 20Wisconsin53.6 21North Dakota53.4 22Illinois53.4 23Arizona52.9 24Washington52.9 25South Carolina52.8 26Rhode Island51.7 27Kansas51.3 28North Carolina51.0 29Vermont49.9 30Wyoming49.5 31Missouri48.3 32Montana47.8 33Maine47.6 34Indiana47.4 35Michigan47.1 36Oklahoma47.1 37Texas46.4 38Ohio45.7 39Oregon44.9 40Nevada44.8 41Colorado44.5 42Mississippi43.9 43Kentucky43.3 44New Mexico43.1 45Tennessee41.2 46Alaska40.7 47Alabama40.7 48Arkansas37.0 49Louisiana34.3 50West Virginia32.0 -- Average51.2 One surprise in the rankings is Nebraska, which places third overall ahead of larger and wealthier states. Its strong performance reflects consistent results across multiple categories rather than dominance in any single metric. Meanwhile, among the four most populous states, results vary widely, highlighting how size alone does not determine quality of life. California ranks 7th overall, while Texas falls to 37th, creating one of the largest gaps among peer states in the ranking. Southern States Have the Lowest Happiness The lowest-ranked states cluster heavily in the South, with West Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas all scoring well below the national average. These states tend to rank poorly in both health outcomes and work environment metrics, two of the most heavily weighted components in the index. West Virginia’s last-place finish is driven by bottom rankings in both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. Louisiana also ranks 49th in those two categories, though a mid-pack community and environment result keeps it narrowly ahead of West Virginia overall. How WalletHub Built the Happiness Ranking WalletHub says the study draws on 30 indicators, ranging from depression rates and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and unemployment. According to the source methodology, the underlying data used to build the ranking was collected as of June 23, 2025, from a mix of federal agencies, Gallup, TransUnion, Sharecare, AmeriCorps, and other organizations. Rather than capturing momentary mood, the ranking reflects broader living conditions. By combining health, economic, and community indicators, it offers a more comprehensive view of what drives happiness across states. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out this map of the world’s happiest countries on Voronoi.

Ranked: The World’s Largest Exporters in 2025 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways China remains the world’s top exporter at $3.8T—nearly double U.S. exports. Europe accounts for over $7.7T in combined exports, led by Germany and the Netherlands. Smaller economies like the UAE and Netherlands rank among the global top 10. Global trade is dominated by a handful of export powerhouses—but the scale gap between them is striking. China exported nearly $3.8 trillion in goods in 2025, maintaining a wide lead over the United States and every other economy. Meanwhile, Europe collectively accounts for a massive share of global exports, and smaller trade hubs like the Netherlands and UAE continue to punch far above their weight. This graphic ranks the world’s 30 largest exporters using the latest data from the World Trade Organization. China: The World’s Top Exporter China’s $3.8 trillion in exports is nearly double that of the United States, underscoring the scale of its dominance in global manufacturing and trade. Beginning with the country’s gradual liberalization in the late 1970s and 1980s, China pursued an export-driven growth model that sought to position the country as “the world’s factory floor.” Today, no country ships more merchandise abroad. This data table lists the world’s top exporters and their 2025 goods export value. RankCountryValue (Billion USD) 1 China3,772 2 United States2,185 3 Germany1,764 4 Netherlands989 5 Hong Kong754 6 Japan738 7 Italy726 8 South Korea709 9 United Arab Emirates707 10 France683 11 Mexico665 12 Taiwan641 13 Belgium568 14 Singapore567 15 United Kingdom556 16 Canada555 17 Switzerland554 18 Vietnam473 19 India445 20 Spain445 21 Russia419 22 Poland414 23 Malaysia376 24 Brazil348 25 Thailand340 26 Australia338 27 Saudi Arabia311 28 Ireland293 29 Czech Republic284 30 Indonesia283 China’s expansive exports have been boosted by its various free-trade agreements, including with Australia, Pakistan, South Korea, and the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian markets. The effect is undeniable: China is today the largest trade partner of over half the world’s countries, playing an increasingly central commercial role for developed and emerging markets across all continents. The U.S. Export Profile The United States may be best known today as the world’s largest import market, but it’s also responsible for over $2.2 trillion worth of diversified exports including cars, oil, soy, and medical products. The top U.S. trade partners include its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, as well as China, Germany, and Japan. Integrated North American supply chains mean that many U.S. exports actually obtain their inputs from imports across the border. Car parts, for example, may cross a U.S. border with either Canada or Mexico some six to eight times during the vehicle assembly process. The Export Prominence of the Persian Gulf Gulf states like Saudi Arabia ($311 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($707 billion) also punch quite above their weight as exporters, aided by their sprawling hydrocarbon reserves. Oil products make up nearly 75% of Saudi exports and over half of Emirati exports, in contrast to the less than 20% share seen in the U.S., the world’s largest oil producer. The Gulf countries’ high dependence on their petroleum production thus makes them vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions in the Middle East, with the ongoing conflict involving Iran emerging as a clear example. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out China Outtrades the U.S. in Asia-Pacific on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: What It Takes to Be Upper-Middle Class in Every State See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Nine U.S. states now require $150K+ just to be considered upper-middle class. In high-cost states like Massachusetts and New Jersey, the threshold exceeds $160K. Parts of the South still fall below $100K, creating a $70K+ national gap. For many Americans, earning $100,000 still feels like a financial milestone. But depending on where you live, that salary may fall well short of “upper-middle class.” Across the U.S., the income required to reach this tier ranges from under $100K in some Southern states to over $160K in the Northeast. Using a GOBankingRates analysis of 2024 U.S. Census data, this map shows the minimum income needed in each state to break into the top-third of middle-income earners. The gap between states exceeds $70,000, meaning the same salary can place you in very different economic tiers depending on location. Ranked: Income Thresholds by State The Northeast and West Coast dominate the top of the rankings, with Massachusetts ($163,066) and New Jersey ($162,235) leading the nation. Some of the biggest shifts are happening outside traditional coastal hubs. States like Colorado ($151,065) and Utah ($150,357) now rank among the most expensive for upper-middle-class status, with thresholds above $150K, higher than New York ($133,498). This reflects rapid population growth, rising home prices, and an influx of higher-paying jobs in these regions. The following table breaks down the minimum annual income needed to be considered upper-middle class in every state, ranked from highest to lowest. RankStateIncome Needed to be Upper-Middle Class 1Massachusetts$163,066 2New Jersey$162,235 3Maryland$160,074 4Hawaii$156,714 5California$155,787 6New Hampshire$155,216 7Washington$154,605 8Colorado$151,065 9Utah$150,357 10Connecticut$149,410 11Alaska$148,812 12Virginia$143,251 13Delaware$136,164 14Minnesota$135,515 15New York$133,498 16Oregon$132,564 17Rhode Island$129,895 18Illinois$129,439 19Vermont$128,691 20Arizona$126,756 21Idaho$126,258 22Nevada$126,208 23Georgia$124,430 24Texas$124,010 25North Dakota$121,133 26Florida$120,921 27Pennsylvania$120,626 28Wisconsin$120,537 29South Dakota$119,593 30Maine$118,910 31Nebraska$118,807 32Wyoming$117,494 33Kansas$117,466 34Iowa$112,450 35Montana$117,196 36North Carolina$115,046 37Michigan$112,605 38South Carolina$112,544 39Ohio$112,330 40Tennessee$111,995 41Inidana$111,936 42Missouri$111,361 43New Mexico$105,492 44Alabama$103,692 45Oklahoma$102,897 46Kentucky$100,374 47Arkansas$96,609 48Louisiana$94,867 49West Virginia$94,575 50Mississippi$91,975 In Texas, a salary of $124,010 secures an upper-middle-class lifestyle, a figure that is 24% lower than the entry point in Massachusetts. Florida tells a similar story. At $120,921, the cost of status is roughly in line with Pennsylvania, but without the burden of a state income tax. The Growth of the Upper-Middle Class Recent research from the American Enterprise Institute shows that since 1979, the share of Americans in the “core” middle class has declined, largely because households are moving up the income ladder. The upper-middle class has tripled in size, growing from roughly 10% of families in 1979 to over 31% today, based on households earning $133,000 to $400,000 in 2024 dollars. While more Americans now qualify as upper-middle class on paper, the definition itself has shifted upward. Rising housing costs and inflation mean that even six-figure incomes may not deliver the same level of financial comfort they once did. In practical terms, where you live matters as much as how much you earn. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s richest countries versus the happiest countries.

The Top Trade Partner of Every European Country See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Germany is the top trade partner for 19 European countries, far more than any other nation. The U.S. leads in just three: the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland. China is now the top trade partner for Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Germany sits at the center of Europe’s trade network, but it is not the only global force shaping the continent’s economy. This map highlights the top trading partner of each European country based on International Monetary Fund data for Q1-Q3 2025. Europe’s nearly $30 trillion economy is diverse and spans sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, yet nearly half of all European countries rely on the same major trading partner for their imports and exports. Germany: The Center of Europe Germany is the top trade partner for 19 European countries, more than six times as many as the next closest countries, which each count just three. This dominance reflects Germany’s central role in European manufacturing, supply chains, and intra-EU trade. The table below shows how many European countries rely on each nation as their top trade partner, highlighting Germany’s outsized role in the region. Top Trade Partner (2025 Q1-Q3)# of Countries Germany19 U.S.3 China3 Netherlands3 Italy2 Greece2 France1 Finland1 Sweden1 Lithuania1 Poland1 Romania1 Serbia1 Spain1 Switzerland1 Russia1 The Dutch, French, and Italian economies, among others, are closely linked to Germany, which is a major industrial player and consumer of primary goods ranging from crude oil to agricultural products. German cars and other high-value exports, meanwhile, have found success across European markets, especially within the 27-member European Union. The following table shows each European country’s largest trade partner. CountryLargest Trade Partner 2025 (Q1-Q3) Albania Italy Austria Germany Belarus Russia Belgium Netherlands Bosnia and Herzegovina Germany Bulgaria Germany Croatia Germany Cyprus Greece Czechia Germany Denmark Germany Estonia Finland Finland Sweden France Germany Germany Netherlands Greece Germany Hungary Germany Iceland Netherlands Ireland US Italy Germany Kosovo Germany Latvia Lithuania Lithuania Poland Luxembourg Germany Malta Italy Moldova Romania Montenegro Serbia Netherlands Germany North Macedonia Greece Norway Germany Poland Germany Portugal Spain Romania Germany Russia China Serbia Germany Slovakia Germany Slovenia Switzerland Spain France Sweden Germany Switzerland US Turkey China Ukraine China United Kingdom US While Germany is Europe’s trade giant, its own largest trade partner is the Netherlands. The two countries have an annual trading relationship worth more than $200 billion, marked by extensive economic integration and joint supply chains. The Netherlands, home to Europe’s largest seaport at Rotterdam, is also the main trade partner of neighboring Belgium, with which it forms part of the Benelux union. Europe’s Other Top Trading Partners Many European countries trade most with their largest neighboring country. For example, Malta’s main trade partner is Italy. Portugal’s top trade partner is Spain, while Spain’s is France. The Baltics take this a step further: Latvia’s largest trade partner is Lithuania, while Lithuania’s is Poland. Estonia’s main trade partner is Finland, while Finland’s is Sweden. Poland and Sweden, in turn, maintain their largest trade relationships with Germany. Some clear exceptions emerge. As the world’s largest economy, the U.S. is the primary trade partner of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The Rise of China to the East While Germany dominates within Europe, China is expanding its influence along the continent’s eastern edge. It is now the top trade partner for Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey, displacing traditional European partners such as Germany in some cases. Chinese exports to Russia and Ukraine play a major role in the country’s relationship with both Eastern European nations. Beijing also imports significant amounts of primary goods from the two warring countries, including food and mineral products from Ukraine as well as hydrocarbons from Russia. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The $19 Trillion European Union Economy on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The World’s Biggest Natural Gas Producers See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The U.S. produces 25% of global natural gas, far ahead of any other country. Its output is nearly equal to Iran and China combined. Global supply is concentrated among a small group of producers, shaping energy markets and LNG trade. The U.S. has pulled far ahead as the world’s largest natural gas producer, accounting for a quarter of global supply in 2024. This chart ranks the top gas-producing countries using the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, showing how output is concentrated among a handful of players that anchor global energy markets. That dominance is becoming more important as disruptions in the Middle East tighten supply and shift trade flows toward large, stable producers like the United States. The U.S. is the World’s Largest Natural Gas Producer The U.S. isn’t just the top producer. It operates at a completely different scale. In 2024, it produced 37,751 billion cubic feet of natural gas, more than 1.6x Russia and nearly equal to the combined output of Iran and China. No other country comes close. The gap between the U.S. and Russia alone is larger than the total output of most top-10 producers. The data table below shows the ranking of natural gas production by country in 2024 in billion cubic feet: RankCountryNatural Gas Production in 2024 (billion cubic feet) 1 United States37,751 2 Russia22,672 3 Iran9,853 4 China9,111 5 Canada7,028 6 Qatar6,003 7 Australia5,368 8 Norway4,626 9 Saudi Arabia4,344 10 Algeria3,496 11 Malaysia2,860 12 Turkmenistan2,755 13 Indonesia2,472 14 United Arab Emirates2,084 15 Argentina1,660 16 Egypt1,660 17 Uzbekistan1,624 18 Oman1,554 19 Nigeria1,377 20 Azerbaijan1,342 21 India1,271 22 United Kingdom1,095 23 Mexico1,095 24 Kazakhstan1,024 25 Thailand953 26 Israel953 27 Trinidad and Tobago883 28 Venezuela883 29 Pakistan848 30 Brazil777 31 Bangladesh706 32 Kuwait706 33 Bahrain671 34 Ukraine636 35 Peru494 36 Myanmar459 37 Libya424 38 Bolivia388 39 Brunei388 40 Papua New Guinea388 41 Colombia353 42 Iraq353 43 Netherlands343 44 Romania325 45 Equatorial Guinea237 46 Vietnam226 47 Angola205 48 Poland184 49 Germany145 50 Syria131 51 Ghana120 52 New Zealand117 53 Ivory Coast95 54 Italy92 55 Cameroon88 56 Turkey81 57 Denmark78 58 Tanzania71 59 Japan67 60 Congo64 61 Hungary60 62 Philippines60 63 Tunisia42 64 Mozambique42 65 Chile39 66 Ireland39 67 Cuba35 68 Croatia25 69 Gabon18 70 Austria18 71 Serbia11 72 Ecuador11 73 Czechia7 74 Jordan7 After the top four, production drops off sharply, with no country exceeding 7,500 billion cubic feet. Canada and Qatar lead the second tier, followed by a mix of LNG exporters and regional suppliers. This steep decline underscores how concentrated global supply is at the very top. Together, those countries form the core of the global gas supply system, spanning North America, Eurasia, the Middle East, and key LNG-exporting hubs. America’s Shale Helped Redraw the Production Map U.S. natural gas output has roughly tripled since 2005 as hydraulic fracturing unlocked shale formations that were previously uneconomical. This surge helps explain why the U.S. stands so far ahead of other producers and why it has become central to both pipeline and LNG flows. Recent tensions in the Middle East have disrupted natural gas infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy trade. With flows constrained, global markets are leaning more heavily on large, stable producers. This dynamic further amplifies the role of the U.S., which leads both in natural gas output and LNG export capacity. As supply risks persist, this concentration is becoming more consequential. Countries with large, stable production, especially the U.S., are playing a growing role in balancing global energy markets and meeting LNG demand. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out U.S. Natural Gas Trade with North America (1985-2024) on Voronoi.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: Countries With the Most College Graduates See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Canada leads globally, with 63% of adults holding a tertiary degree. Several countries now have more than half their population college-educated. Large gaps persist, with some major economies below 20% attainment. Higher education is becoming the norm in some countries, while remaining out of reach in others. This chart ranks countries by the share of adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education—including college degrees and equivalent programs—based on data from OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025. Canada leads at 63%, and a number of advanced economies have crossed the 50% threshold, highlighting how college education is becoming more widespread in the global workforce. Countries like Ireland, Japan, and South Korea are part of this group where a majority of adults now hold a college degree, marking a shift toward higher-skilled labor markets. Canada Is the Only Country Above 60% Canada tops the ranking at 63%, making it the only country where nearly two-thirds of adults hold a college degree. The United States is at 51%, just above the OECD average of 42%. This reflects decades of investment in higher education systems and sustained demand for skilled labor. Country% with higher education Canada63 Ireland58 Japan57 Korea56 Luxembourg54 United Kingdom54 Australia53 Sweden52 Israel51 United States51 Norway50 Lithuania48 Switzerland46 Belgium45 Denmark45 Netherlands45 Iceland44 New Zealand44 Estonia43 Finland43 France43 Spain42 Latvia40 Poland39 Peru39 Austria38 Greece35 Slovenia35 Germany34 Bulgaria34 Chile33 Colombia31 Hungary31 Portugal31 Croatia30 Slovak Republic29 Costa Rica28 Türkiye27 Czechia25 Argentina24 Italy22 Mexico22 Brazil22 China19 Romania19 India14 Indonesia13 South Africa9 OECD average42 Europe Spans From 58% to Below 25% Europe shows one of the widest internal gaps in education attainment. Ireland ranks among global leaders at 58%, while countries like Italy (22%) fall far behind, highlighting uneven access to higher education across the region. Major Economies Still Below 20% Some of the world’s largest economies remain well below OECD levels. China (19%), India (14%), and Indonesia (13%) show how access to higher education is still expanding, with important implications for future workforce development. As these economies grow, expanding access to higher education will play a critical role in productivity, income growth, and global competitiveness as demand for skilled labor rises. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World has Made Substantial Progress in Increasing Basic Levels of Education on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The States Where Living Costs the Most—and Least See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Hawaii is the most expensive state, with costs 84% above the U.S. average. Oklahoma is the cheapest, with living costs 15% below the national baseline. A clear regional divide emerges, with Southern states generally more affordable than coastal markets. Living costs vary widely across the United States, shaping how far a paycheck goes from one state to another. In the most expensive states, everyday expenses run far above the national average, while in lower-cost states, incomes stretch significantly further. Using 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this map shows the cost of living index in every state, with the U.S. set at a baseline of 100. Housing is the biggest driver of these differences, though taxes, utilities, and healthcare also play a major role. The map also reveals a strong regional pattern, with much of the South and Midwest below the national average, while coastal states dominate the high-cost end. The Most Expensive States in America Hawaii is the most expensive state in America, with living costs roughly double those in Texas and 84% above the national average. In Q4 2025, the average home sale price reached $906K, up from $668K in Q4 2019. This surge shows how housing remains the single biggest factor behind high living costs. In addition, Hawaii residents face the highest tax burden nationally when property, income, and sales taxes are combined. This table shows the cost of living index by state in 2025, using the U.S. as a baseline of 100. RankStateCost of Living Index (2025) 1Hawaii183.9 2Massachusetts148.5 3California143.1 4District of Columbia137.8 5Alaska126.7 6New York125.8 7Maryland117.4 8New Jersey115.3 9Connecticut114.0 10Maine114.0 11Vermont113.5 12Washington112.9 13Oregon112.8 14Rhode Island110.7 15New Hampshire110.5 16Arizona110.3 17Delaware103.1 18Colorado103.1 19Virginia102.2 20Florida101.4 21Nevada99.7 22Utah99.5 23Idaho99.3 24Wisconsin98.5 25North Carolina97.9 26Pennsylvania97.1 27Montana96.8 28Illinois95.0 29Wyoming94.6 30Ohio94.6 31New Mexico93.7 32Minnesota93.6 33Louisiana92.9 34South Carolina92.7 35Georgia92.2 36Michigan91.9 37Nebraska91.8 38South Dakota91.8 39Kentucky91.5 40Texas91.1 41North Dakota91.1 42Indiana90.7 43Arkansas90.1 44Tennessee90.1 45Iowa89.8 46Missouri88.9 47Kansas88.4 48Alabama88.1 49West Virginia88.0 50Mississippi86.0 51Oklahoma84.7 Massachusetts follows, with prices 49% above the U.S. baseline. Beyond high housing costs, expensive healthcare and utilities drive up prices, at 34% and 55% above the national average, respectively. Meanwhile, California residents pay 43% higher costs overall, with Washington, D.C. (38%) and Alaska (27%) rounding out the top five. As cost disparities widen, these high-cost states continue to face outmigration pressures, while lower-cost regions gain population and economic momentum. The Most Affordable States Oklahoma is the least expensive state in the country, with prices 15% below the U.S. average. With the most affordable home prices nationwide, housing costs are 31% below the national average, making it a key driver of overall affordability. This pattern is consistent across much of the Southern U.S., where lower housing costs anchor overall living expenses. Alabama has the fourth-lowest cost of living in the country, with home prices about 29% below the national average. In 2025, it saw among the highest net immigration rates per capita, highlighting how affordability is increasingly driving domestic migration trends. Other affordable states like Tennessee and Arkansas also experienced strong per capita inflows. Together, these patterns highlight how affordability is reshaping where Americans live, as lower-cost states attract residents looking to stretch their income further amid ongoing housing and inflation pressures. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: The Rise of Silicon in EV Batteries See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Silicon-based anodes are expected to grow from about 5% share in 2022 to roughly 20% of lithium-ion battery capacity by 2035. Because silicon stores far more lithium than graphite, it could enable longer EV range, smaller batteries, and lower costs per kilometer. Electric vehicles rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries, and the materials used inside them are evolving rapidly. For years, graphite has dominated battery anodes—the negative electrode that stores lithium during charging. However, silicon is emerging as a powerful alternative. This infographic charts the projected rise of silicon-containing anodes in EV batteries through 2035. The data for this visualization comes from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. It tracks the weighted supply of anode materials in gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery capacity, representing the amount of EV battery use supported by each material type. Graphite Still Dominates Today Graphite remains the backbone of lithium-ion battery anodes. In 2022, synthetic graphite alone accounted for roughly 76% of global anode capacity, while natural graphite made up another 18.6%. This dominance stems from graphite’s stability, relatively low cost, and established supply chains. Manufacturers have spent decades optimizing graphite-based batteries, making them reliable for mass EV production. However, graphite has a major limitation: it stores relatively little lithium compared to emerging alternatives. Why Silicon Is So Promising Silicon can theoretically store about 10 times more lithium than graphite. This property allows batteries with silicon-enhanced anodes to pack more energy into the same physical space. In practical terms, this could significantly extend EV range without increasing battery size. For example, an EV that previously covered 480 km on a single charge could reach 640 km—or even 800 km—using a battery pack of the same size and weight. Year/Weightedsupply in GWhNat. GraphiteSynth. GraphiteGraphite-siliconSilicon-engineeredOther 2022268.171098.9071.970.076.20 2023312.031369.1882.280.269.83 2024292.831558.32118.600.7815.96 2025325.582198.77165.200.8718.56 2026P365.582498.28257.080.9122.03 2027P459.662814.68393.160.9827.77 2028P488.393379.84574.611.0034.81 2029P571.144066.84942.0846.1840.70 2030P587.154325.931372.6144.8845.11 2031P636.844541.821366.9663.6257.93 2032P700.184745.791383.9796.5260.58 2033P822.914895.031243.78213.8661.68 2034P900.654911.501273.32214.9483.73 2035P939.884920.501304.03214.0986.69 Because silicon expands significantly during charging cycles, engineers are developing hybrid approaches. These include graphite–silicon composites and engineered silicon materials that balance higher capacity with structural stability. Silicon’s Share Could Reach 20% by 2035 Forecasts suggest silicon will steadily gain traction over the next decade. Graphite–silicon composite anodes are projected to rise from 5% of battery capacity in 2022 to 17.5% by 2035. Material20222035PShare Shift (pp) Natural Graphite18.6%12.6%-6 Synthetic Graphite76.0%65.9%-10.1 Graphite-silicon composite5.0%17.5%12.5 Silicon-engineered0.0%2.9%2.9 Other0.4%1.2%0.8 Total100.0%100.0%— Meanwhile, fully engineered silicon anodes could expand from almost zero share to about 3% over the same period. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the projected battery mineral deficit by 2034.

Are Houses Losing Ground Across Europe? This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Most European countries have seen a decline in house living since 2010. In several major markets, fewer than half of residents now live in houses. Ireland remains an outlier, with over 90% living in houses. At current trends, apartments could become Europe’s dominant housing type by the 2030s. Houses are losing ground across much of Europe as rising costs and urbanization push more people toward apartment living. This chart, created by DataPulse and Home24 using Eurostat data, shows the share of people living in houses across 30 countries in 2024, along with how those shares have changed since 2010. While houses still dominate in countries like Ireland and the Netherlands, the overall trend points downward, suggesting a steady shift toward apartments across the region. European Countries by Share Living in Houses Ireland remains a clear outlier, with over 90% of residents living in houses, far above the European average of 51.4%. But even here, the share has declined over the past decade, reflecting a broader shift seen across most countries. Country% Living in Houses (2010)% Living in Houses (2024) Ireland95.690.2 North Macedonia79.182.1 (2023) Netherlands77.177.1 Belgium79.276.8 Croatia78.475.8 Cyprus76.474.1 Hungary69.673.3 Slovenia71.172.1 Norway82.072.0 Denmark71.367.7 France65.963.5 Romania62.663.0 Finland66.560.7 Poland53.058.4 Luxembourg66.357.8 Slovakia50.354.6 Bulgaria56.852.9 Sweden56.651.2 Portugal62.551.0 Austria56.850.4 Czech Republic46.748.7 Italy45.240.8 Greece41.840.6 Lithuania42.939.5 Estonia35.038.7 Germany45.038.5 Malta50.936.6 Latvia34.334.7 Spain34.934.6 Switzerland37.433.7 In countries like Ireland, North Macedonia, and the Netherlands, detached or semi-detached homes remain the dominant housing type. However, this looks very different in practice. While Ireland and North Macedonia feature more spread-out housing, the Netherlands relies heavily on compact, high-density rowhouses, allowing single-family homes to remain common even in a densely populated environment. Eastern European countries such as Croatia and Hungary also rank relatively high, with over 70% of residents living in houses. This reflects historical housing development patterns, where single-family homes were more common than large apartment complexes. Urbanization Driving Apartment Growth The broader trend is consistent across the data: in most European countries, the share of people living in houses is declining. In major economies like Germany and Italy, fewer than half of residents now live in houses, highlighting how urbanization is reshaping housing markets. As cities grow, space constraints and affordability challenges push more people toward multi-unit dwellings. This aligns with broader findings on Europe’s housing cost burden by country, where rising prices are making standalone homes increasingly out of reach. The Biggest Shifts Since 2010 Several countries have seen notable declines in house living over the past decade. Portugal (-11.5 percentage points), Malta (-14.3), and Norway (-10) have experienced some of the steepest drops. Even traditionally house-dominant countries like Ireland and Finland have seen declines, suggesting a continent-wide shift. Germany, meanwhile, ranks among the countries with the sharpest decreases, reflecting its already urbanized housing structure becoming even more apartment-centric. So, are houses losing ground across Europe? The data suggests yes. Most countries have seen declines over the past decade, and if current trends continue, apartments could become the dominant housing type across much of Europe by the 2030s. Learn More on the Voronoi App Explore more insights in this related post: Many Europeans say their nations are on the wrong track with housing.

Where Population Growth Has Been Fastest Since 2000 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways India added 406 million people since 2000, the largest increase globally. Qatar and the UAE recorded the fastest growth rates, with populations rising over 250%. Population growth since 2000 has been concentrated in Africa and South Asia, both in scale and speed. The world’s population grew by more than 2 billion people between 2000 and 2025, but that growth has varied significantly across countries. This chart compares the countries with the fastest population growth over that period, measured by both percentage increase and total people added, using IMF data. While smaller Gulf nations dominate in percentage terms, the largest population gains come from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, highlighting a divide between relative growth and absolute impact. The data reveals a key split: countries leading in percentage growth are often smaller economies, while those adding the most people are already among the world’s most populous. The Most Populous Country in History India’s population growth since 2000 stands apart in scale. The country added 406 million people in just 25 years, more than the population of the United States, making it the largest population increase of any country in modern history. This represents 38% growth over its population in 2000, which had already topped one billion. In 2023, India surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country, a position it is unlikely to lose anytime soon. RankCountryPopulation growth in millions (2000-2025) 1 India406 2 China138 3 Nigeria113 4 Pakistan105 5 Indonesia78 6 United States59 7 Democratic Republic of the Congo59 8 Ethiopia50 9 Bangladesh46 10 Egypt45 11 Brazil39 12 Philippines37 13 Tanzania35 14 Mexico34 15 Uganda26 16 Iran24 17 Kenya24 18 Angola23 19 Vietnam23 20 Yemen22 21 Türkiye22 22 Sudan19 23 South Africa19 24 Mozambique18 25 Saudi Arabia18 Today, nearly a fifth of the world’s population lives in India, despite the country occupying roughly 2.5% of the world’s land area. This surge has made India the most populous country in recorded history. In recent years, population growth has slowed in the South Asian giant, raising concerns that it could follow China in facing a demographic slowdown earlier than expected. Population Booms in the Persian Gulf While Asia leads in total population gains, the fastest growth rates are concentrated in the Persian Gulf. Between 2005 and 2025, countries such as Bahrain (154%), Kuwait (139%), and the United Arab Emirates (250%) recorded some of the highest growth rates globally. With 423% growth, Qatar leads the world in population growth since 2000. The following data table lists the 25 fastest-growing countries by percentage change in population since 2000. RankCountryPopulation growth (2000–2025) 1 Qatar423.4% 2 United Arab Emirates249.7% 3 Equatorial Guinea166.6% 4 Niger157.0% 5 Bahrain153.9% 6 Papua New Guinea149.6% 7 Angola139.7% 8 Kuwait139.1% 9 Oman129.1% 10 Chad126.9% 11 Jordan126.3% 12 Burundi123.6% 13 Democratic Republic of the Congo121.8% 14 Uganda120.1% 15 Zambia119.5% 16 Mali118.4% 17 Yemen112.9% 18 Gambia112.8% 19 Madagascar108.7% 20 Republic of Congo107.0% 21 Benin106.6% 22 Tanzania106.4% 23 Mozambique102.3% 24 Ivory Coast102.3% 25 Burkina Faso102.3% The Gulf states’ population surges are driven largely by imported labor supporting construction and energy booms. Today, less than 15% of Qatar’s population consists of citizens, with the majority made up of foreign-born workers, particularly from South Asia. Africa: The Next Population Hotspot Africa is emerging as the center of global population growth. More than two-thirds of the fastest-growing countries by percentage are located on the continent, with several nations already doubling their populations since 2000. This growth has been driven by rising life expectancy and lower infant mortality, even as fertility rates remain high. The continent is projected to surpass 2 billion people by 2038, with some regions expected to more than quintuple in population over the 21st century. West Africa is one such region. With a population exceeding 400 million, about half of whom live in Nigeria, it is projected to become one of the most densely populated areas in the world in the coming decades. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Africa’s Annual Births Are Catching up to Asia on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Grocery Prices Across U.S. States See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Grocery prices vary by nearly 40% across U.S. states based on 2025 averages. Hawaii and Alaska have the highest costs, both over 25% above average. Southern states dominate the lowest-cost rankings, led by Arkansas. Hawaii and Alaska have the highest grocery costs in the U.S., with prices more than 25% above the national average. Using data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this map ranks grocery prices across all 50 states relative to a U.S. baseline of 100. While Hawaii and Alaska are far above average due to shipping costs and geographic isolation, many Southern states offer the lowest prices, highlighting how regional cost structures shape what Americans pay at the checkout. This variation comes at a time when food prices remain a top concern for consumers, with grocery costs still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. Ranked: States With the Highest Grocery Prices Hawaii and Alaska stand apart, with grocery prices 31.4% and 25% above the national average. Their geographic isolation means both states rely heavily on imported goods, making transportation a key driver of higher costs. For a typical household spending $8,000–$10,000 per year on groceries, this price gap can translate into an extra $2,000 or more annually in the most expensive states. The table below shows each state’s grocery price index, based on 2025 annual averages benchmarked to a U.S. baseline of 100: RankState or DistrictGrocery Price Index 2025Cost of Living Index 2025 1Hawaii131.4183.9 2Alaska125.0126.7 3California109.3143.1 4Washington108.0112.9 5Oregon106.8112.8 6Vermont105.5113.5 7Maryland105.4117.4 8District of Columbia104.8137.8 9Florida104.3101.4 10Connecticut103.6114.0 11New Jersey103.5115.3 12New York103.3125.8 13Nevada102.799.7 14Massachusetts102.7148.5 15Arizona101.9110.3 16Montana101.696.8 17Rhode Island101.4110.7 18Delaware101.3103.1 19Colorado101.2103.1 20Maine101.0114 21Minnesota100.693.6 22Kentucky99.891.5 23Wyoming99.894.6 24Illinois99.895.0 25Virginia99.7102.2 26Wisconsin99.598.5 27Ohio99.494.6 28New Hampshire99.4110.5 29Michigan99.391.9 30Indiana99.290.7 31South Carolina99.092.7 32North Carolina99.097.9 33Idaho98.999.3 34Nebraska98.691.8 35Pennsylvania98.597.1 36Georgia97.892.2 37South Dakota97.791.8 38Alabama97.588.1 39New Mexico97.093.7 40Utah96.999.5 41Tennessee96.890.1 42North Dakota96.891.1 43Iowa96.689.8 44Louisiana96.492.9 45West Virginia96.388 46Kansas95.988.4 47Missouri95.988.9 48Mississippi95.586.0 49Oklahoma95.484.7 50Texas95.391.1 51Arkansas94.390.1 California’s grocery prices are 9.3% above the U.S. average, ranking third among all states. Despite its massive agricultural output, California’s grocery prices remain elevated due to high labor, energy, and real estate costs. Washington faces similar pressures, along with some of the highest fuel costs in the country. A cluster of Northeastern states—Vermont, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.—also rank among the most expensive, with grocery prices 5–6% above average. Vermont’s low population density increases transportation costs, while Washington, D.C.’s high commercial rents and wages push prices higher. Florida ranks ninth for grocery costs, despite a more moderate cost of living. A relatively concentrated grocery market gives dominant players greater pricing power, while its tourism industry keeps demand elevated, both contributing to above-average food prices. The Least Expensive Grocery Prices in America Arkansas has the lowest grocery prices in the U.S., at 5.7% below the national average—marking a sharp contrast with the country’s most expensive states. It is followed by Southern states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, where grocery prices are often 5–10% below the national average, well below many coastal and non-contiguous states. These states also have a lower overall cost of living, meaning housing, fuel, and groceries take up a smaller share of household budgets overall. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the average weekly grocery bill by state.

Mapped: Europe’s Homeownership Divide See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Homeownership ranges from over 90% in Eastern Europe to under 50% in Germany and Switzerland. Some of Europe’s richest countries have the lowest ownership rates. Mass privatization in the 1990s created a lasting East–West ownership gap. Homeownership in Europe shows a stark contrast: in some countries, more than 9 in 10 households own their homes, while in others, fewer than half do. That gap is not driven by income alone. In fact, some of Europe’s richest economies, like Germany and Switzerland, have the lowest ownership rates, where renting is far more common. This map uses the latest available data from Eurostat and the UK Parliament to show how homeownership varies across Europe by share of households. Why this matters: Homeownership is closely tied to wealth building, financial security, and long-term stability. Countries with lower ownership rates often have more developed rental markets, while higher rates can reflect historical policies rather than current affordability. Europe’s Highest Homeownership Rates The highest homeownership rates on the Old Continent are found in the eastern half of the European Union, led by Romania (93.2%), Slovakia (93.1%), and Croatia (91.4%). On average, countries in Central and Eastern Europe have homeownership rates roughly 30% higher than their peers in Western Europe. The following data table lists European countries alongside their household homeownership rate. RankCountryHomeownership Rate by share of households (%) 1 Romania93.2 2 Slovakia93.1 3 Croatia91.4 4 Hungary89.8 5 Lithuania87.4 6 Poland87.2 7 Bulgaria86.1 8 Latvia82.2 9 Norway80.0 10 Estonia79.7 11 Italy77.1 12 Czechia75.1 13 Slovenia74.2 14 Spain73.6 15 Portugal71.2 16 Belgium70.9 17 Greece69.4 18 Ireland69.3 19 Cyprus69.2 20 Netherlands68.8 21 Malta68.1 22 Finland66.9 23 Sweden64.6 24 Luxembourg63.5 25 UK61.7 26 France61.2 27 Denmark60.9 28 Austria54.5 29 Germany47.2 30 Switzerland42.0 -- EU68.4 A major driver of Eastern Europe’s high ownership rates is the mass privatization of housing in the 1990s. As governments sold off state-owned apartments, often at steep discounts, millions of residents became homeowners, creating a structural gap with Western Europe that persists today. Homeownership in Western Europe In contrast, Western Europe tends to have lower homeownership rates on average, including roughly 61.5% of households in France and the United Kingdom and approximately 68% across the Benelux countries. In Western Europe, higher home prices and stricter lending standards have made ownership less accessible, especially for younger generations. At the same time, strong tenant protections and stable rental markets make long-term renting a more common and viable alternative. Meanwhile, dynamic labor markets in major cities have also contributed to the growth of large rental markets, where property owners rent to working professionals and young families. The Germanic Outliers Low homeownership rates are most pronounced in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), where high incomes and strong economies coexist with some of the lowest ownership levels in Europe. In Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, only 42% of households own the home in which they live. Germany similarly sees less than half of households classified as owner-occupiers (47.2%), while neighboring Austria is only slightly higher at 54.5%. These countries’ low rates relative to the rest of Europe can be partly explained by cultural factors, such as young adults leaving home earlier than in Southern Europe. In addition, the post-socialist transition in places like East Germany followed a different path, with state-owned housing often sold to corporations rather than residents during the 1990s. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Share of European Households with Children on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Most Productive Countries in the World See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Ireland ranks #1 in GDP per hour at $151, far ahead of its peers—but the figure is heavily influenced by multinational corporations. European economies dominate the top of the ranking, with Norway and Luxembourg also exceeding $120 per hour. The U.S. generates $97 per hour—above average, but behind many smaller, high-income economies. Not all hours worked generate the same economic value. This chart ranks OECD countries by GDP per hour worked, a common measure of productivity. The gap at the top is striking: Ireland produces over 50% more per hour than most advanced economies. However, these figures come with an important caveat. In countries like Ireland and Luxembourg, productivity is significantly boosted by multinational firms shifting profits, which can inflate GDP relative to actual domestic output. Using data from the OECD, this visualization highlights where workers appear most productive—and what drives those differences. GDP per Hour Worked by Country With output per hour at $151 in purchasing power parity-adjusted dollars, Ireland stands well above its peers. This table shows GDP per hour worked by country in 2023, in PPP-adjusted dollars, which account for differences in cost of living: CountryGDP Per Hour WorkedPurchasing Power Parity Dollars Ireland$151 Norway$132 Luxembourg$125 Belgium$100 Switzerland$99 Denmark$99 United States$97 Austria$95 Iceland$95 Netherlands$94 Germany$94 Sweden$90 France$88 Finland$83 Australia$79 United Kingdom$79 Italy$77 Canada$75 Spain$73 Slovenia$66 Israel$61 Czechia$60 Lithuania$60 Slovak Republic$60 Portugal$59 Japan$56 Latvia$56 New Zealand$55 Korea$55 Hungary$54 Poland$54 Estonia$53 Greece$45 Chile$37 Costa Rica$32 Mexico$25 Colombia$21 OECD Average$71 Ireland’s productivity is heavily influenced by the presence of multinational corporations, particularly in tech and pharmaceuticals. For perspective, Ireland’s productivity drops by 31% to $115 when using gross national income (GNI) as an alternative measure. Norway ($132) and Luxembourg ($125) also benefit from distinct structural advantages. Norway is supported by its energy sector, while Luxembourg’s finance industry significantly boosts its output. Similarly, Luxembourg’s productivity drops by 54% when measured using GNI. Countries with a higher concentration of capital-intensive or knowledge-based industries, such as technology, finance, and pharmaceuticals, tend to generate more value per hour. Meanwhile, economies with larger shares of agriculture, tourism, or lower-value services typically report lower productivity levels. This helps explain why countries like the U.S. ($97) and Germany ($88) rank above the OECD average of $71, given their strong industrial and innovation-driven sectors, while others fall further down the list. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s 50 largest economies by GDP in 2026.

Click to view this graphic in a higher-resolution. Use This Visualization Every S&P 500 Company in One Giant Chart See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways This chart shows all 500 companies in the S&P 500, sized by market cap and grouped by sector. Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft alone make up about 18% of the $57.6 trillion index. A small group of mega-cap companies occupies a disproportionate share of the market. What does the entire S&P 500 actually look like? This visualization brings all 500 companies into a single view, with each sized by its share of the index and grouped by sector. It is based on data from Slickcharts as of March 30, 2026. Each circle represents a company, making it easy to compare how market value is distributed across sectors—and to see which firms dominate the index. One immediate takeaway is how much space is occupied by just a handful of companies. Just 10 firms now make up over 36% of the S&P 500, up from 23% in 2000. Ranked: The Top S&P 500 Companies by Index Weight Nvidia is now the largest company in the S&P 500, with a 7.0% index weight—larger than entire sectors like energy or utilities. Apple follows with a 6.3% share, while Microsoft ranks third at 4.6%. These three companies account for about 18% of the S&P 500’s total value, while AI-driven firms represent 10 of the top 20 largest companies. This table ranks every company in the S&P 500 by index weight as of March 30, 2026: RankNameSectorWeight %(Mar 30, 2026) 1NvidiaInfo Tech7.0% 2Apple Inc.Info Tech6.3% 3MicrosoftInfo Tech4.6% 4AmazonConsumer Discretionary3.7% 5Alphabet Inc. (Class A)Communication Services3.0% 6Alphabet Inc. (Class C)Communication Services2.8% 7BroadcomInfo Tech2.4% 8Meta PlatformsCommunication Services2.4% 9Tesla, Inc.Consumer Discretionary2.3% 10Berkshire HathawayFinancials1.8% 11WalmartConsumer Staples1.7% 12Lilly (Eli)Health Care1.4% 13JPMorgan ChaseFinancials1.3% 14ExxonMobilEnergy1.2% 15Johnson & JohnsonHealth Care1.0% 16Visa Inc.Financials1.0% 17CostcoConsumer Staples0.8% 18MastercardFinancials0.8% 19Chevron CorporationEnergy0.7% 20Oracle CorporationInfo Tech0.7% 21NetflixCommunication Services0.7% 22AbbVieHealth Care0.7% 23Micron TechnologyInfo Tech0.6% 24Bank of AmericaFinancials0.6% 25Procter & GambleConsumer Staples0.6% 26Coca-Cola Company (The)Consumer Staples0.6% 27Palantir TechnologiesInfo Tech0.6% 28Home Depot (The)Consumer Discretionary0.6% 29Advanced Micro DevicesInfo Tech0.6% 30Caterpillar Inc.Industrials0.5% 31CiscoInfo Tech0.5% 32Merck & Co.Health Care0.5% 33GE AerospaceIndustrials0.5% 34Philip Morris InternationalConsumer Staples0.5% 35Applied MaterialsInfo Tech0.5% 36Morgan StanleyFinancials0.4% 37RTX CorporationIndustrials0.4% 38Lam ResearchInfo Tech0.4% 39T-Mobile USCommunication Services0.4% 40Goldman SachsFinancials0.4% 41Wells FargoFinancials0.4% 42UnitedHealth GroupHealth Care0.4% 43Linde plcMaterials0.4% 44IBMInfo Tech0.4% 45McDonald'sConsumer Discretionary0.4% 46GE VernovaIndustrials0.4% 47VerizonCommunication Services0.4% 48PepsiCoConsumer Staples0.4% 49IntelInfo Tech0.4% 50AT&TCommunication Services0.4% 51American ExpressFinancials0.4% 52CitigroupFinancials0.3% 53AmgenHealth Care0.3% 54NextEra EnergyUtilities0.3% 55Thermo Fisher ScientificHealth Care0.3% 56Abbott LaboratoriesHealth Care0.3% 57KLA CorporationInfo Tech0.3% 58TJX CompaniesConsumer Discretionary0.3% 59SalesforceInfo Tech0.3% 60Walt Disney Company (The)Communication Services0.3% 61Gilead SciencesHealth Care0.3% 62Texas InstrumentsInfo Tech0.3% 63ConocoPhillipsEnergy0.3% 64Charles Schwab CorporationFinancials0.3% 65Intuitive SurgicalHealth Care0.3% 66PfizerHealth Care0.3% 67Deere & CompanyIndustrials0.3% 68BoeingIndustrials0.3% 69Analog DevicesInfo Tech0.3% 70UberIndustrials0.3% 71BlackRockFinancials0.3% 72HoneywellIndustrials0.3% 73Union Pacific CorporationIndustrials0.3% 74AmphenolInfo Tech0.3% 75Arista NetworksInfo Tech0.3% 76Lockheed MartinIndustrials0.2% 77QualcommInfo Tech0.2% 78WelltowerReal Estate0.2% 79Booking HoldingsConsumer Discretionary0.2% 80Lowe'sConsumer Discretionary0.2% 81Danaher CorporationHealth Care0.2% 82Eaton CorporationIndustrials0.2% 83Chubb LimitedFinancials0.2% 84S&P GlobalFinancials0.2% 85Stryker CorporationHealth Care0.2% 86AppLovin CorporationInfo Tech0.2% 87Palo Alto NetworksInfo Tech0.2% 88Bristol Myers SquibbHealth Care0.2% 89AccentureInfo Tech0.2% 90IntuitInfo Tech0.2% 91PrologisReal Estate0.2% 92Progressive CorporationFinancials0.2% 93Vertex PharmaceuticalsHealth Care0.2% 94AltriaConsumer Staples0.2% 95Capital OneFinancials0.2% 96CME GroupFinancials0.2% 97MedtronicHealth Care0.2% 98Parker HannifinIndustrials0.2% 99Corning Inc.Info Tech0.2% 100ServiceNowInfo Tech0.2% 101NewmontMaterials0.2% 102Southern CompanyUtilities0.2% 103Constellation EnergyUtilities0.2% 104ComcastCommunication Services0.2% 105McKesson CorporationHealth Care0.2% 106HCA HealthcareHealth Care0.2% 107Dell TechnologiesInfo Tech0.2% 108Duke EnergyUtilities0.2% 109StarbucksConsumer Discretionary0.2% 110Northrop GrummanIndustrials0.2% 111Adobe Inc.Info Tech0.2% 112CrowdStrikeInfo Tech0.2% 113Boston ScientificHealth Care0.2% 114Waste ManagementIndustrials0.2% 115General DynamicsIndustrials0.2% 116Vertiv Holdings CoIndustrials0.2% 117Howmet AerospaceIndustrials0.2% 118Trane TechnologiesIndustrials0.2% 119EquinixReal Estate0.2% 120Marriott InternationalConsumer Discretionary0.2% 121Williams CompaniesEnergy0.2% 122Intercontinental ExchangeFinancials0.2% 123Blackstone Inc.Financials0.2% 124Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.Financials0.2% 125CVS HealthHealth Care0.2% 126Western DigitalInfo Tech0.2% 127Sandisk CorporationInfo Tech0.2% 128EOG ResourcesEnergy0.1% 129PNC Financial ServicesFinancials0.1% 130KKRFinancials0.1% 131BNY MellonFinancials0.1% 132U.S. BancorpFinancials0.1% 133Regeneron PharmaceuticalsHealth Care0.1% 134Automatic Data ProcessingIndustrials0.1% 135FedExIndustrials0.1% 136United Parcel ServiceIndustrials0.1% 137Quanta ServicesIndustrials0.1% 138Seagate TechnologyInfo Tech0.1% 139Freeport-McMoRanMaterials0.1% 140Sherwin-WilliamsMaterials0.1% 141American TowerReal Estate0.1% 142O'Reilly Auto PartsConsumer Discretionary0.1% 143Nike, Inc.Consumer Discretionary0.1% 144AirbnbConsumer Discretionary0.1% 145Mondelez InternationalConsumer Staples0.1% 146SchlumbergerEnergy0.1% 147Kinder MorganEnergy0.1% 148Valero EnergyEnergy0.1% 149Phillips 66Energy0.1% 150Marathon PetroleumEnergy0.1% 151Moody's CorporationFinancials0.1% 152Johnson ControlsIndustrials0.1% 1533MIndustrials0.1% 154CSX CorporationIndustrials0.1% 155Illinois Tool WorksIndustrials0.1% 156Cadence Design SystemsInfo Tech0.1% 157SynopsysInfo Tech0.1% 158EcolabMaterials0.1% 159Warner Bros. DiscoveryCommunication Services0.1% 160Royal Caribbean GroupConsumer Discretionary0.1% 161Hilton WorldwideConsumer Discretionary0.1% 162Ross StoresConsumer Discretionary0.1% 163Monster BeverageConsumer Staples0.1% 164Colgate-PalmoliveConsumer Staples0.1% 165AonFinancials0.1% 166CignaHealth Care0.1% 167CumminsIndustrials0.1% 168Emerson ElectricIndustrials0.1% 169Republic ServicesIndustrials0.1% 170CintasIndustrials0.1% 171Motorola SolutionsInfo Tech0.1% 172CRH plcMaterials0.1% 173American Electric PowerUtilities0.1% 174General MotorsConsumer Discretionary0.1% 175DoorDashConsumer Discretionary0.1% 176Occidental PetroleumEnergy0.1% 177Apollo Global ManagementFinancials0.1% 178Travelers Companies (The)Financials0.1% 179Elevance HealthHealth Care0.1% 180TransDigm GroupIndustrials0.1% 181L3HarrisIndustrials0.1% 182Norfolk Southern RailwayIndustrials0.1% 183Air ProductsMaterials0.1% 184SempraUtilities0.1% 185AutoZoneConsumer Discretionary0.1% 186Baker HughesEnergy0.1% 187ONEOKEnergy0.1% 188Diamondback EnergyEnergy0.1% 189Robinhood Markets, Inc.Financials0.1% 190AflacFinancials0.1% 191Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.Financials0.1% 192Truist FinancialFinancials0.1% 193CencoraHealth Care0.1% 194PaccarIndustrials0.1% 195FortinetInfo Tech0.1% 196TE ConnectivityInfo Tech0.1% 197CortevaMaterials0.1% 198Digital RealtyReal Estate0.1% 199Simon Property GroupReal Estate0.1% 200Realty IncomeReal Estate0.1% 201Electronic ArtsCommunication Services0.1% 202Target CorporationConsumer Discretionary0.1% 203Targa ResourcesEnergy0.1% 204AllstateFinancials0.1% 205ZoetisHealth Care0.1% 206FastenalIndustrials0.1% 207W. W. GraingerIndustrials0.1% 208Ciena CorporationInfo Tech0.1% 209AutodeskInfo Tech0.1% 210Monolithic Power SystemsInfo Tech0.1% 211Dominion EnergyUtilities0.1% 212EntergyUtilities0.1% 213ExelonUtilities0.1% 214Vistra Corp.Utilities0.1% 215Xcel EnergyUtilities0.1% 216Ford Motor CompanyConsumer Discretionary0.1% 217GarminConsumer Discretionary0.1% 218KrogerConsumer Staples0.1% 219Hershey Company (The)Consumer Staples0.1% 220Nasdaq, Inc.Financials0.1% 221MetLifeFinancials0.1% 222Cardinal HealthHealth Care0.1% 223Edwards LifesciencesHealth Care0.1% 224Idexx LaboratoriesHealth Care0.1% 225Becton DickinsonHealth Care0.1% 226AmetekIndustrials0.1% 227Carrier GlobalIndustrials0.1% 228United RentalsIndustrials0.1% 229Comfort Systems USA, Inc.Industrials0.1% 230NXP SemiconductorsInfo Tech0.1% 231Lumentum Holdings Inc.Info Tech0.1% 232Keysight TechnologiesInfo Tech0.1% 233TeradyneInfo Tech0.1% 234Public StorageReal Estate0.1% 235Yum! BrandsConsumer Discretionary0.1% 236Carvana Co.Consumer Discretionary0.1% 237Chipotle Mexican GrillConsumer Discretionary0.1% 238eBayConsumer Discretionary0.1% 239D. R. HortonConsumer Discretionary0.1% 240EQT CorporationEnergy0.1% 241Coinbase GlobalFinancials0.1% 242PayPalFinancials0.1% 243Fifth Third BancorpFinancials0.1% 244Ameriprise FinancialFinancials0.1% 245American International GroupFinancials0.1% 246MSCIFinancials0.1% 247Delta Air LinesIndustrials0.1% 248WabtecIndustrials0.1% 249Old DominionIndustrials0.1% 250Rockwell AutomationIndustrials0.1% 251Coherent, Inc.Info Tech0.1% 252DatadogInfo Tech0.1% 253NucorMaterials0.1% 254CBRE GroupReal Estate0.1% 255VentasReal Estate0.1% 256Consolidated EdisonUtilities0.1% 257Public Service Enterprise GroupUtilities0.1% 258PG&E CorporationUtilities0.1% 259WEC Energy GroupUtilities0.1% 260Take-Two InteractiveCommunication Services0.1% 261Live Nation EntertainmentCommunication Services0.1% 262EchoStar CorporationCommunication Services0.1% 263Las Vegas SandsConsumer Discretionary0.1% 264CarnivalConsumer Discretionary0.1% 265Keurig Dr PepperConsumer Staples0.1% 266Archer Daniels MidlandConsumer Staples0.1% 267SyscoConsumer Staples0.1% 268KenvueConsumer Staples0.1% 269Kimberly-ClarkConsumer Staples0.1% 270HalliburtonEnergy0.1% 271Texas Pacific Land CorporationEnergy0.1% 272Devon EnergyEnergy0.1% 273Hartford (The)Financials0.1% 274State Street CorporationFinancials0.1% 275Block, Inc.Financials0.1% 276Arch Capital GroupFinancials0.1% 277Prudential FinancialFinancials0.1% 278ResMedHealth Care0.1% 279Axon EnterpriseIndustrials0.1% 280PaychexIndustrials0.1% 281Roper TechnologiesInfo Tech0.1% 282Workday, Inc.Info Tech0.1% 283Microchip TechnologyInfo Tech0.1% 284Vulcan Materials CompanyMaterials0.1% 285Martin Marietta MaterialsMaterials0.1% 286Crown CastleReal Estate0.1% 287Charter CommunicationsCommunication Services0.1% 288Expedia GroupConsumer Discretionary0.1% 289Tapestry, Inc.Consumer Discretionary0.1% 290Dollar GeneralConsumer Discretionary0.1% 291Kraft HeinzConsumer Staples0.1% 292Constellation BrandsConsumer Staples0.1% 293CoterraEnergy0.1% 294Expand EnergyEnergy0.1% 295Huntington BancsharesFinancials0.1% 296M&T BankFinancials0.1% 297Cboe Global MarketsFinancials0.1% 298Fiserv, Inc.Financials0.1% 299Interactive Brokers GroupFinancials0.1% 300Raymond James FinancialFinancials0.1% 301Willis Towers WatsonFinancials0.1% 302Agilent TechnologiesHealth Care0.1% 303GE HealthCareHealth Care0.1% 304Waters CorporationHealth Care0.1% 305IQVIAHealth Care0.1% 306BiogenHealth Care0.1% 307CopartIndustrials0.1% 308EMCOR Group, Inc.Industrials0.1% 309Ingersoll RandIndustrials0.1% 310Otis WorldwideIndustrials0.1% 311Xylem Inc.Industrials0.1% 312United Airlines HoldingsIndustrials0.1% 313Dover CorporationIndustrials0.1% 314Hewlett Packard EnterpriseInfo Tech0.1% 315CognizantInfo Tech0.1% 316Teledyne TechnologiesInfo Tech0.1% 317JabilInfo Tech0.1% 318Dow Inc.Materials0.1% 319LyondellBasellMaterials0.1% 320Iron MountainReal Estate0.1% 321Vici PropertiesReal Estate0.1% 322Extra Space StorageReal Estate0.1% 323Atmos EnergyUtilities0.1% 324DTE EnergyUtilities0.1% 325AmerenUtilities0.1% 326NRG EnergyUtilities0.1% 327FirstEnergyUtilities0.1% 328PPL CorporationUtilities0.1% 329CenterPoint EnergyUtilities0.1% 330Edison InternationalUtilities0.1% 331American Water WorksUtilities0.1% 332Omnicom GroupCommunication Services0.04% 333Tractor SupplyConsumer Discretionary0.04% 334Darden RestaurantsConsumer Discretionary0.04% 335Ulta BeautyConsumer Discretionary0.04% 336PulteGroupConsumer Discretionary0.04% 337Williams-SonomaConsumer Discretionary0.04% 338LennarConsumer Discretionary0.04% 339Dollar TreeConsumer Staples0.04% 340Estée Lauder Companies (The)Consumer Staples0.04% 341Bunge GlobalConsumer Staples0.04% 342Tyson FoodsConsumer Staples0.04% 343Church & DwightConsumer Staples0.04% 344Northern TrustFinancials0.04% 345W. R. Berkley CorporationFinancials0.04% 346Citizens Financial GroupFinancials0.04% 347Fidelity National Information ServicesFinancials0.04% 348Cincinnati FinancialFinancials0.04% 349Ares Management CorporationFinancials0.04% 350Synchrony FinancialFinancials0.04% 351Brown & BrownFinancials0.04% 352Loews CorporationFinancials0.04% 353Regions Financial CorporationFinancials0.04% 354KeyCorpFinancials0.04% 355Mettler ToledoHealth Care0.04% 356DexcomHealth Care0.04% 357LabCorpHealth Care0.04% 358Quest DiagnosticsHealth Care0.04% 359SterisHealth Care0.04% 360Verisk AnalyticsIndustrials0.04% 361Rollins, Inc.Industrials0.04% 362Hubbell IncorporatedIndustrials0.04% 363EquifaxIndustrials0.04% 364VeraltoIndustrials0.04% 365Fair IsaacInfo Tech0.04% 366VerisignInfo Tech0.04% 367Qnity ElectronicsInfo Tech0.04% 368ON SemiconductorInfo Tech0.04% 369Steel DynamicsMaterials0.04% 370PPG IndustriesMaterials0.04% 371CF IndustriesMaterials0.04% 372Albemarle CorporationMaterials0.04% 373AvalonBay CommunitiesReal Estate0.04% 374Equity ResidentialReal Estate0.04% 375Eversource EnergyUtilities0.04% 376CMS EnergyUtilities0.04% 377NiSourceUtilities0.04% 378TKO Group HoldingsCommunication Services0.03% 379Ralph Lauren CorporationConsumer Discretionary0.03% 380NVR, Inc.Consumer Discretionary0.03% 381Lululemon AthleticaConsumer Discretionary0.03% 382Genuine Parts CompanyConsumer Discretionary0.03% 383General MillsConsumer Staples0.03% 384McCormick & CompanyConsumer Staples0.03% 385APA CorporationEnergy0.03% 386CorpayFinancials0.03% 387T. Rowe PriceFinancials0.03% 388Principal Financial GroupFinancials0.03% 389Broadridge Financial SolutionsFinancials0.03% 390Global PaymentsFinancials0.03% 391HumanaHealth Care0.03% 392ModernaHealth Care0.03% 393IncyteHealth Care0.03% 394West Pharmaceutical ServicesHealth Care0.03% 395Zimmer BiometHealth Care0.03% 396HologicHealth Care0.03% 397Centene CorporationHealth Care0.03% 398ViatrisHealth Care0.03% 399Insulet CorporationHealth Care0.03% 400LeidosIndustrials0.03% 401J.B. HuntIndustrials0.03% 402C.H. RobinsonIndustrials0.03% 403Expeditors InternationalIndustrials0.03% 404Snap-onIndustrials0.03% 405Southwest AirlinesIndustrials0.03% 406FortiveIndustrials0.03% 407Lennox InternationalIndustrials0.03% 408TextronIndustrials0.03% 409Jacobs SolutionsIndustrials0.03% 410Huntington Ingalls IndustriesIndustrials0.03% 411NetAppInfo Tech0.03% 412First SolarInfo Tech0.03% 413HP Inc.Info Tech0.03% 414PTC Inc.Info Tech0.03% 415Akamai TechnologiesInfo Tech0.03% 416F5, Inc.Info Tech0.03% 417CDWInfo Tech0.03% 418Trimble Inc.Info Tech0.03% 419Tyler TechnologiesInfo Tech0.03% 420Smurfit WestRockMaterials0.03% 421Packaging Corporation of AmericaMaterials0.03% 422International PaperMaterials0.03% 423International Flavors & FragrancesMaterials0.03% 424DuPontMaterials0.03% 425AmcorMaterials0.03% 426Ball CorporationMaterials0.03% 427SBA CommunicationsReal Estate0.03% 428WeyerhaeuserReal Estate0.03% 429CoStar GroupReal Estate0.03% 430Essex Property TrustReal Estate0.03% 431Invitation HomesReal Estate0.03% 432Kimco RealtyReal Estate0.03% 433EvergyUtilities0.03% 434Alliant EnergyUtilities0.03% 435Fox Corporation (Class B)Communication Services0.02% 436Fox Corporation (Class A)Communication Services0.02% 437The Trade Desk, Inc.Communication Services0.02% 438Paramount Skydance CorpCommunication Services0.02% 439News Corp (Class A)Communication Services0.02% 440AptivConsumer Discretionary0.02% 441Deckers BrandsConsumer Discretionary0.02% 442Best BuyConsumer Discretionary0.02% 443HasbroConsumer Discretionary0.02% 444Domino'sConsumer Discretionary0.02% 445Wynn ResortsConsumer Discretionary0.02% 446MGM ResortsConsumer Discretionary0.02% 447Hormel FoodsConsumer Staples0.02% 448CloroxConsumer Staples0.02% 449Brown–FormanConsumer Staples0.02% 450J.M. Smucker Company (The)Consumer Staples0.02% 451Everest GroupFinancials0.02% 452Erie IndemnityFinancials0.02% 453Franklin ResourcesFinancials0.02% 454AssurantFinancials0.02% 455Globe LifeFinancials0.02% 456InvescoFinancials0.02% 457Cooper Companies (The)Health Care0.02% 458Align TechnologyHealth Care0.02% 459Universal Health ServicesHealth Care0.02% 460SolventumHealth Care0.02% 461DaVitaHealth Care0.02% 462RevvityHealth Care0.02% 463Nordson CorporationIndustrials0.02% 464IDEX CorporationIndustrials0.02% 465PentairIndustrials0.02% 466AllegionIndustrials0.02% 467MascoIndustrials0.02% 468GeneracIndustrials0.02% 469Stanley Black & DeckerIndustrials0.02% 470A. O. SmithIndustrials0.02% 471Builders FirstSourceIndustrials0.02% 472SupermicroInfo Tech0.02% 473Jack Henry & AssociatesInfo Tech0.02% 474GartnerInfo Tech0.02% 475Gen DigitalInfo Tech0.02% 476GoDaddyInfo Tech0.02% 477Zebra TechnologiesInfo Tech0.02% 478Avery DennisonMaterials0.02% 479Mid-America Apartment CommunitiesReal Estate0.02% 480Regency CentersReal Estate0.02% 481Host Hotels & ResortsReal Estate0.02% 482Healthpeak PropertiesReal Estate0.02% 483UDR, Inc.Real Estate0.02% 484Camden Property TrustReal Estate0.02% 485Federal Realty Investment TrustReal Estate0.02% 486Pinnacle WestUtilities0.02% 487AES CorporationUtilities0.02% 488News Corp (Class B)Communication Services0.01% 489Norwegian Cruise Line HoldingsConsumer Discretionary0.01% 490Pool CorporationConsumer Discretionary0.01% 491Molson Coors Beverage CompanyConsumer Staples0.01% 492Conagra BrandsConsumer Staples0.01% 493Campbell Soup CompanyConsumer Staples0.01% 494FactSetFinancials0.01% 495Henry ScheinHealth Care0.01% 496Baxter InternationalHealth Care0.01% 497Bio-TechneHealth Care0.01% 498Charles River LaboratoriesHealth Care0.01% 499Skyworks SolutionsInfo Tech0.01% 500EPAM SystemsInfo Tech0.01% 501Mosaic Company (The)Materials0.01% 502BXP, Inc.Real Estate0.01% 503Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesReal Estate0.01% Berkshire Hathaway is the only financials company in the top 10 by market cap, with its ranking falling from sixth to 10th place since 2023. By contrast, Walmart has climbed to 11th from 29th in just two years amid strong online sales. Among health care firms, Eli Lilly (#12) has overtaken UnitedHealth Group (#42) as the most valuable company, fueled by sales of its weight-loss drugs. Why This Concentration Matters While the top 10 companies’ share of the index has edged down from 41% in 2025, its still-elevated concentration relative to historical levels has real implications: Diversification is shrinking: Index investors are more exposed to a handful of companies than at previous market-cycle peaks Market performance is narrowing: A small group of firms is increasingly driving overall returns The index is evolving: The S&P 500 may no longer broadly reflect the U.S. economy In effect, the market is behaving less like a 500-company index, and more like a concentrated bet on a few dominant firms. At the center of this shift is the AI boom, illustrating how a single technological wave is reshaping the market’s hierarchy. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on 151 years of S&P 500 returns.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Mapped: The Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in U.S. Cities See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways New York and San Jose require nearly $160K a year to live comfortably, the highest among the 56 cities mapped. In much of the U.S., a comfortable lifestyle now effectively means earning six figures. How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in a major American city? Increasingly, the answer is a six-figure salary. This map shows the income required for a comfortable lifestyle across 56 U.S. cities, factoring in housing, food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending. The data comes from SmartAsset, using the MIT Living Wage Calculator and updated in February 2026. The Highest-Cost Cities Now Require Nearly $160K New York tops the list at $158,954, narrowly ahead of San Jose at $158,080. California accounts for many of the highest-cost cities overall, with Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Sacramento all ranking near the top. RankCitySalary to live comfortably 1New York, NY$158,954 2San Jose, CA$158,080 3Irvine, CA$151,965 4Boston, MA$139,776 5San Diego, CA$136,781 6San Francisco, CA$134,950 7Oakland, CA$134,410 8Honolulu, HI$128,253 9Seattle, WA$127,296 10Jersey City, NJ$127,005 11Arlington, VA$125,882 12Los Angeles, CA$120,307 13Riverside, CA$119,974 14Sacramento, CA$117,021 15Portland, OR$116,106 16Washington, DC$111,155 17Denver, CO$110,781 18Raleigh, NC$110,490 19Virginia Beach, VA$110,448 20Plano, TX$109,242 21Atlanta, GA$108,451 22Miami, FL$108,077 23Charlotte, NC$106,205 24Phoenix, AZ$106,122 25Chicago, IL$105,830 26Tacoma, WA$105,290 27Newark, NJ$104,125 28Boise, ID$104,000 29Tampa, FL$102,710 30Nashville, TN$102,502 31Reno, NV$102,419 32Minneapolis, MN$102,045 33Anchorage, AK$101,795 34Madison, WI$101,754 35Durham, NC$101,296 36Colorado Springs, CO$100,464 37Austin, TX$98,550 38Fort Worth, TX$97,552 39Richmond, VA$97,178 40Philadelphia, PA$97,094 41Dallas, TX$96,970 42Buffalo, NY$96,221 43St. Paul, MN$96,054 44Pittsburgh, PA$95,472 45Omaha, NE$94,765 46Orlando, FL$93,475 47Columbus, OH$92,810 48Jacksonville, FL$92,518 49Kansas City, MO$92,144 50Indianapolis, IN$90,896 51Houston, TX$89,981 52Tulsa, OK$88,317 53Baltimore, MD$87,485 54Memphis, TN$86,320 55New Orleans, LA$84,406 56San Antonio, TX$83,242 Taken together, the top of the ranking highlights how concentrated the highest costs are in a handful of major metros, particularly in California and the Northeast. Boston, Honolulu, Seattle, and Jersey City also stand out, showing that the highest salary thresholds extend well beyond just a handful of coastal hubs. Six-Figure Salaries Are Becoming the Norm A key shift in the data is how quickly six-figure income requirements have spread beyond the most expensive cities. Beyond the usual high-cost leaders, cities such as Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Boise now require roughly $100K or more for a comfortable lifestyle. That shift suggests higher living costs are no longer confined to the country’s most expensive coastal markets. Lower-Cost Cities Still Require Substantial Income At the lower end of the ranking, the salary needed to live comfortably still remains substantial. San Antonio has the lowest threshold at $83,069, followed by Memphis at $86,444 and Tulsa at $87,690. Even in the most affordable cities on the map, the income needed for a comfortable lifestyle is far above what many households earn, highlighting how even the most “affordable” major cities now require incomes that were once considered high. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Where Americans Pay the Most Income Tax on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Who Owns America’s $39T Debt See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve holds $4.4T in Treasuries—more than the top three foreign holders combined. Domestic investors hold $17.7T, nearly double foreign ownership at $9.3T. About $7.6T of U.S. debt is owed within government accounts. Who really finances America’s $39T debt, and how much is held at home versus abroad? This chart shows where U.S. debt ultimately sits, from domestic investors and foreign governments to the Federal Reserve and internal trust funds. Data is sourced from Treasury’s daily Debt to the Penny, the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, TIC data, and the Federal Reserve, as of March 19, 2026. Breaking Down Who Holds U.S. Debt To finance its growing deficits, the U.S. relies on a wide range of buyers, including domestic institutions, foreign governments, and its own central bank. The table below shows how U.S. debt is distributed across its largest holders: Value of U.S. Debt (in Trillions)Share of U.S. Debt Mutual and Pension Funds6.617% Banking institutions, Dealers2.46% Individual Investors3.08% Other Domestic Holders5.715% Japan1.23% United Kingdom0.92% China0.72% Other Nations6.517% Federal Reserve4.411% Social Security Trust Fund2.67% Other Government Trust Funds5.113% Total U.S. Debt39.0100% Of the $39 trillion in gross debt, $31.4 trillion (81%) is held by domestic and foreign investors. The remaining $7.6 trillion (19%) is intragovernmental debt, reflecting internal government transactions. This total is roughly twice the combined fortune of the world’s top 20 billionaires. Debt held by the public represents what the U.S. owes to outside investors and directly influences interest rates, borrowing costs, and financial markets. By contrast, intragovernmental debt is money the government owes to itself, primarily through programs like Social Security. Mutual funds and pension funds are the largest public holders, at $6.6 trillion, reflecting strong demand for safe, liquid assets. The Federal Reserve holds $4.4 trillion on its balance sheet, more than the top three foreign creditors—Japan, the U.K., and China—combined. Among individuals, Warren Buffett, through his company Berkshire Hathaway, is the largest non-government holder of U.S. Treasury bills, with holdings valued at $339 billion as of Q4 2025. What Does High U.S. Debt Mean for the Average American? The U.S. is among the top 10 most indebted countries globally in debt-to-GDP terms, and its debt is growing by about $1 trillion every three months. This trend can affect Americans’ standard of living. As debt rises, a larger share of the federal budget goes toward interest payments, crowding out spending on priorities like infrastructure, defense, and social programs. Excessive debt can dampen wage growth and job creation while contributing to higher interest rates, making mortgages, loans, and credit card debt more expensive. As the national debt continues to rise, its composition and ownership remain critical for understanding risks to financial markets and the broader economy. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about global government debt, check out this graphic, which visualizes the world’s $111 trillion in government debt by country.