Compare countries · Austria vs Switzerland
Austria vs Switzerland
Austria(Europe)·
Switzerland(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Austria leads on 4, Switzerland on 8, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Austria cheaper than Switzerland?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Austria at 71.3 and Switzerland at 110.7. Austria is about 36% cheaper overall.
Is Austria or Switzerland safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Austria scores 1.42 and Switzerland scores 1.36. Switzerland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Austria or Switzerland?
On the UN Human Development Index, Austria scores 0.930 and Switzerland scores 0.970. Switzerland scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Austria compared to Switzerland?
GNI per capita runs $60,360 in Austria against $110,330 in Switzerland; people live 82.0 years on average against 84.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 79 against 71. 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)
Austria
71.3
Worse than 92% of countries
Switzerland
110.7
Worse than 99% of countries
Austria: 36% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Austria
25.1
Worse than 83% of countries
Switzerland
51.5
Worse than 99% of countries
Austria: 51% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Austria
1.42
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland
1.36
Better than 99% of countries
Switzerland: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.42).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Austria
71.5
Better than 82% of countries
Switzerland
72.6
Better than 83% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Austria
0.930
Better than 89% of countries
Switzerland
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Switzerland: higher human development (0.970 vs 0.930).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Austria
$76,778
Better than 91% of countries
Switzerland
$102,513
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland: 34% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Austria
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Switzerland
84.4 yrs
Better than 98% of countries
Switzerland: 2.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Austria
78.9
Better than 95% of countries
Switzerland
71.2
Better than 72% of countries
Austria: better-rated healthcare (78.9 vs 71.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Austria
113 Mbps
Better than 61% of countries
Switzerland
286 Mbps
Better than 94% of countries
Switzerland: 153% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Austria
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
Switzerland
85/100
Better than 95% of countries
Switzerland: freer press (85 vs 79 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Austria
6.84
Better than 88% of countries
Switzerland
7.02
Better than 93% of countries
Switzerland: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.02 vs 6.84).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Austria
616
Better than 92% of countries
Switzerland
564
Better than 70% of countries
Austria: stronger English proficiency (616 vs 564).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Austria
76.6
Worse than 58% of countries
Switzerland
80.7
Around the global middle
Switzerland: more pleasant climate rating (80.7 vs 76.6).
Deciding between Austria and Switzerland 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 Austria profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Switzerland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.