Compare countries · Denmark vs Norway
Denmark vs Norway
Denmark(Europe)·
Norway(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Denmark leads on 6, Norway on 2, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Denmark cheaper than Norway?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Denmark at 78.9 and Norway at 83.7. Denmark is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Denmark or Norway safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Denmark scores 1.50 and Norway scores 1.69. Denmark ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Denmark or Norway?
On the UN Human Development Index, Denmark scores 0.962 and Norway scores 0.970. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Denmark compared to Norway?
GNI per capita runs $77,190 in Denmark against $97,310 in Norway; people live 82.3 years on average against 83.2; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 76. 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)
Denmark
78.9
Worse than 94% of countries
Norway
83.7
Worse than 96% of countries
Denmark: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Denmark
28.9
Worse than 87% of countries
Norway
29.2
Worse than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Denmark
1.50
Better than 94% of countries
Norway
1.69
Better than 80% of countries
Denmark: more peaceful (1.50 vs 1.69).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Denmark
73.8
Better than 86% of countries
Norway
66.7
Better than 72% of countries
Denmark: higher perceived safety (73.8 vs 66.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Denmark
0.962
Better than 98% of countries
Norway
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Denmark
$83,218
Better than 94% of countries
Norway
$104,044
Better than 97% of countries
Norway: 25% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Denmark
82.3 yrs
Better than 86% of countries
Norway
83.2 yrs
Better than 92% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Denmark
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Norway
75.8
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Denmark
288 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Norway
176 Mbps
Better than 74% of countries
Denmark: 64% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Denmark
89/100
Better than 98% of countries
Norway
93/100
Better than 99% of countries
Norway: freer press (93 vs 89 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Denmark
7.54
Better than 98% of countries
Norway
7.24
Better than 96% of countries
Denmark: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.54 vs 7.24).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Denmark
611
Better than 88% of countries
Norway
613
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Denmark
81.2
Around the global middle
Norway
70.6
Worse than 74% of countries
Denmark: more pleasant climate rating (81.2 vs 70.6).
Deciding between Denmark and Norway 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 Denmark profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Norway profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.