Compare countries · China vs Taiwan
China vs Taiwan
Across 10 comparable indicators: China leads on 2, Taiwan on 8. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
Taiwan
49.7
Worse than 67% of countries
China: 39% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
Taiwan
14.2
Around the global middle
China: 27% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
Taiwan
1.69
Better than 78% of countries
Taiwan: more peaceful (1.69 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
Taiwan
83.0
Better than 97% of countries
Taiwan: higher perceived safety (83.0 vs 76.9).
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
Taiwan
87.1
Better than 99% of countries
Taiwan: better-rated healthcare (87.1 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
Taiwan
269 Mbps
Better than 90% of countries
Taiwan: 27% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
Taiwan
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: freer press (75 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
Taiwan
6.71
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.71 vs 6.07).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
Taiwan
500
Worse than 57% of countries
Taiwan: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
Taiwan
83.9
Better than 60% of countries
Taiwan: more pleasant climate rating (83.9 vs 74.4).
Not comparable for this pair
- Human Development Index: UNDP doesn't score one of these countries.
- GDP per person (PPP): No comparable PPP figure for one of these countries.
- Life expectancy: No recent life-expectancy figure for one of these countries.
Quick answers
Is China cheaper than Taiwan?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts China at 30.5 and Taiwan at 49.7. China is about 39% cheaper overall.
Is China or Taiwan safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), China scores 2.01 and Taiwan scores 1.69. Taiwan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Deciding between China and Taiwan for real?
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Find your match →Full China profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Taiwan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.