Compare countries · Australia vs China
Australia vs China
Australia(Oceania)·
China(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Australia leads on 9, China on 4. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
67.9
Worse than 87% of countries
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
China: 55% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
33.7
Worse than 92% of countries
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
China: 69% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Australia
1.58
Better than 83% of countries
China
2.01
Around the global middle
Australia: more peaceful (1.58 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Australia
52.5
Worse than 57% of countries
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
China: higher perceived safety (76.9 vs 52.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Australia
0.946
Better than 95% of countries
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
Australia: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Australia
$71,934
Better than 88% of countries
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
Australia: 145% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Australia
83.1 yrs
Better than 91% of countries
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
Australia: 5.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Australia
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
Australia: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Australia
157 Mbps
Better than 69% of countries
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
China: 36% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Australia
75/100
Better than 81% of countries
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
Australia: freer press (75 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Australia
6.92
Better than 90% of countries
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
Australia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.92 vs 6.07).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Australia
700
Better than 94% of countries
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
Australia: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Australia
91.9
Better than 80% of countries
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
Australia: more pleasant climate rating (91.9 vs 74.4).
Quick answers
Is Australia cheaper than China?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Australia at 67.9 and China at 30.5. China is about 55% cheaper overall.
Is Australia or China safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Australia scores 1.58 and China scores 2.01. Australia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Australia or China?
On the UN Human Development Index, Australia scores 0.946 and China scores 0.788. Australia scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between Australia and China for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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