Compare countries · Canada vs United States
Canada vs United States
Canada(North America)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Canada leads on 6, United States on 3, 3 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 United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Canada at 63.0 and United States at 68.8. Canada is about 8% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Canada or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Canada scores 0.939 and United States 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 United States?
GNI per capita runs $56,420 in Canada against $88,810 in United States; people live 82.1 years on average against 78.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 67. 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
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Canada: 8% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Canada
31.5
Worse than 90% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Canada: 23% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Canada
54.4
Around the global middle
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Canada: higher perceived safety (54.4 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Canada
0.939
Better than 92% of countries
United States
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
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 35% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Canada
82.1 yrs
Better than 85% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Canada: 3.2 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Canada
68.6
Better than 65% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Canada: better-rated healthcare (68.6 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Canada
278 Mbps
Better than 93% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 11% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Canada
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Canada: freer press (79 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Canada
6.74
Better than 83% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Canada
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States
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
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United States: more pleasant climate rating (75.8 vs 54.9).
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
Deciding between Canada and United States 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 United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.