Compare countries · China vs India
China vs India
Across 13 comparable indicators: China leads on 9, India on 4. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
India
18.9
Better than 99% of countries
India: 38% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
India
4.3
Better than 96% of countries
India: 59% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
India
2.40
Worse than 79% of countries
China: more peaceful (2.01 vs 2.40).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
India
55.8
Around the global middle
China: higher perceived safety (76.9 vs 55.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
India
0.644
Worse than 69% of countries
China: higher human development (0.788 vs 0.644).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
India
$11,748
Worse than 67% of countries
China: 150% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
India
72.2 yrs
Worse than 60% of countries
China: 5.8 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
India
65.5
Better than 55% of countries
China: better-rated healthcare (69.2 vs 65.5).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
India
62 Mbps
Worse than 64% of countries
China: 244% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
India
32/100
Worse than 87% of countries
India: freer press (32 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
India
4.54
Worse than 78% of countries
China: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.07 vs 4.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
India
484
Worse than 65% of countries
India: stronger English proficiency (484 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
India
65.2
Worse than 85% of countries
China: more pleasant climate rating (74.4 vs 65.2).
Deciding between China and India for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.