Compare countries · Finland vs United States
Finland vs United States
Finland(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Finland leads on 7, United States on 4, 2 effectively tied. 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)
Finland
69.0
Worse than 90% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Finland
21.9
Worse than 74% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Finland: 46% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Finland
1.45
Better than 93% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Finland: more peaceful (1.45 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Finland
73.5
Better than 83% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Finland: higher perceived safety (73.5 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Finland
0.942
Better than 93% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Finland
$65,884
Better than 86% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 37% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Finland
82.3 yrs
Better than 86% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Finland: 3.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Finland
77.6
Better than 93% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Finland: better-rated healthcare (77.6 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Finland
178 Mbps
Better than 75% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 73% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Finland
86/100
Better than 97% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Finland: freer press (86 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Finland
7.76
Better than 99% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Finland: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.76 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Finland
603
Better than 84% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 603).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Finland
54.4
Worse than 93% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United States: more pleasant climate rating (75.8 vs 54.4).
Quick answers
Is Finland cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Finland at 69.0 and United States at 68.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Finland or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Finland scores 1.45 and United States scores 2.39. Finland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Finland or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Finland scores 0.942 and United States scores 0.927. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between Finland and United States 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.