Compare countries · France vs Germany
France vs Germany
France(Europe)·
Germany(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 5, Germany on 7, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is France cheaper than Germany?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and Germany at 68.7. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is France or Germany safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and Germany scores 1.66. Germany ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or Germany?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and Germany scores 0.959. Germany scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in France compared to Germany?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $60,200 in Germany; people live 83.0 years on average against 80.8; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 72. 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)
France
67.7
Worse than 85% of countries
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
France: 9% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
Germany
1.66
Better than 83% of countries
Germany: more peaceful (1.66 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
Germany: higher perceived safety (61.6 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
Germany
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Germany: higher human development (0.959 vs 0.920).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Germany: 18% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
France: 2.2 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 72.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
France: 240% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 77 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Germany: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.88 vs 6.59).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Germany: stronger English proficiency (615 vs 539).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
France: more pleasant climate rating (89.6 vs 82.9).
Deciding between France and Germany 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 France profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Germany profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.