Compare countries · Canada vs Portugal
Canada vs Portugal
Canada(North America)·
Portugal(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Canada leads on 5, Portugal on 7, 1 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 Portugal?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Canada at 63.0 and Portugal at 48.8. Portugal is about 23% cheaper overall.
Is Canada or Portugal safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Canada scores 1.52 and Portugal scores 1.43. Portugal ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Canada or Portugal?
On the UN Human Development Index, Canada scores 0.935 and Portugal scores 0.874. Canada 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 Canada compared to Portugal?
GNI per capita runs $56,420 in Canada against $29,930 in Portugal; people live 82.1 years on average against 82.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 72. 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
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
Portugal: 23% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Canada
31.5
Worse than 90% of countries
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
Portugal: 20% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Canada
1.52
Better than 92% of countries
Portugal
1.43
Better than 96% of countries
Portugal: more peaceful (1.43 vs 1.52).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Canada
54.4
Around the global middle
Portugal
67.0
Better than 75% of countries
Portugal: higher perceived safety (67.0 vs 54.4).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Canada
0.935
Better than 91% of countries
Portugal
0.874
Better than 79% of countries
Canada: higher human development (0.935 vs 0.874).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Canada
$66,746
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
Canada: 26% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Canada
82.1 yrs
Better than 85% of countries
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Canada
68.6
Better than 65% of countries
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 68.6).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Canada
278 Mbps
Better than 93% of countries
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Canada: 14% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Canada
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 79 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Canada
6.74
Better than 83% of countries
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
Canada: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.74 vs 6.03).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Canada
700
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal
612
Better than 89% of countries
Canada: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 612).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Canada
54.9
Worse than 92% of countries
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 54.9).
Deciding between Canada and Portugal 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 Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.