Compare countries · Australia vs United Kingdom
Australia vs United Kingdom
Australia(Oceania)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Australia leads on 5, United Kingdom on 3, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Australia cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Australia at 67.9 and United Kingdom at 67.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Australia or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Australia scores 1.60 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Australia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Australia or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Australia scores 0.958 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Australia compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $64,120 in Australia against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 83.1 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 against 73. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
67.9
Worse than 87% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
33.7
Worse than 92% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: 5% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Australia
1.60
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Australia: more peaceful (1.60 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Australia
52.5
Worse than 57% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Australia
0.958
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Australia
$71,934
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Australia: 11% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Australia
83.1 yrs
Better than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Australia: 1.7 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Australia
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Australia
157 Mbps
Better than 69% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
United Kingdom: 7% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Australia
75/100
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 75 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Australia
6.92
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Australia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.92 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Australia
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Australia
91.9
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Australia: more pleasant climate rating (91.9 vs 87.8).
Deciding between Australia and United Kingdom for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Australia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.