Compare countries · France vs Spain
France vs Spain
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 3, Spain on 4, 6 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 Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and Spain at 51.6. Spain is about 24% cheaper overall.
Is France or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and Spain scores 1.65. Spain ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and Spain scores 0.918. 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 Spain?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $37,120 in Spain; people live 83.0 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 77. 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
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain: 24% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
France: 4% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Spain: more peaceful (1.65 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
France: 7% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
France: 27% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 89.6).
Deciding between France and Spain 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 Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.