Compare countries · Canada vs New Zealand
Canada vs New Zealand
Canada(North America)·
New Zealand(Oceania)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Canada leads on 3, New Zealand on 5, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Canada cheaper than New Zealand?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Canada at 63.0 and New Zealand at 60.3. New Zealand is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Canada or New Zealand safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Canada scores 1.52 and New Zealand scores 1.34. New Zealand ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Canada or New Zealand?
On the UN Human Development Index, Canada scores 0.939 and New Zealand scores 0.938. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Canada compared to New Zealand?
GNI per capita runs $56,420 in Canada against $46,630 in New Zealand; people live 82.1 years on average against 82.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 68. 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)
Canada
63.0
Worse than 84% of countries
New Zealand
60.3
Worse than 81% of countries
New Zealand: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Canada
31.5
Worse than 90% of countries
New Zealand
26.2
Worse than 84% of countries
New Zealand: 17% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Canada
1.52
Better than 92% of countries
New Zealand
1.34
Better than 99% of countries
New Zealand: more peaceful (1.34 vs 1.52).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Canada
54.4
Around the global middle
New Zealand
51.2
Worse than 61% of countries
Canada: higher perceived safety (54.4 vs 51.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Canada
0.939
Better than 92% of countries
New Zealand
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Canada
$66,746
Better than 87% of countries
New Zealand
$57,350
Better than 81% of countries
Canada: 16% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Canada
82.1 yrs
Better than 85% of countries
New Zealand
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Canada
68.6
Better than 65% of countries
New Zealand
68.2
Better than 62% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Canada
278 Mbps
Better than 93% of countries
New Zealand
202 Mbps
Better than 78% of countries
Canada: 38% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Canada
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
New Zealand
77/100
Better than 87% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Canada
6.74
Better than 83% of countries
New Zealand
7.00
Better than 92% of countries
New Zealand: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.00 vs 6.74).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Canada
700
Better than 94% of countries
New Zealand
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Canada
54.9
Worse than 92% of countries
New Zealand
97.2
Better than 95% of countries
New Zealand: more pleasant climate rating (97.2 vs 54.9).
Deciding between Canada and New Zealand 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 Canada profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full New Zealand profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.