Compare countries · France vs Portugal
France vs Portugal
France(Europe)·
Portugal(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 6, Portugal on 6, 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 Portugal?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and Portugal at 48.8. Portugal is about 28% cheaper overall.
Is France or Portugal safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and Portugal scores 1.43. Portugal ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or Portugal?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and Portugal scores 0.890. France 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 Portugal?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $29,930 in Portugal; people live 83.0 years on average against 82.4; 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
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
Portugal: 28% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
France: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
Portugal
1.43
Better than 96% of countries
Portugal: more peaceful (1.43 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Portugal
67.0
Better than 75% of countries
Portugal: higher perceived safety (67.0 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal
0.890
Better than 80% of countries
France: higher human development (0.920 vs 0.890).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
France: 20% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 72.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
France: 45% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 77 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
France: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.59 vs 6.03).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
Portugal
612
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal: stronger English proficiency (612 vs 539).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 89.6).
Deciding between France and Portugal 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 Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.