Compare countries · France vs Italy
France vs Italy
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 4, Italy on 4, 5 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 Italy?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and Italy at 61.4. Italy is about 9% cheaper overall.
Is France or Italy safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and Italy scores 1.71. Italy ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or Italy?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and Italy scores 0.915. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in France compared to Italy?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $42,080 in Italy; people live 83.0 years on average against 84.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 65. 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
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Italy: 9% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Italy: 8% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Italy: more peaceful (1.71 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Italy: higher perceived safety (52.7 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
France: 206% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
France: freer press (77 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
Italy
513
Around the global middle
France: stronger English proficiency (539 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between France and Italy 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.