Compare countries · France vs United Kingdom
France vs United Kingdom
France(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 4, United Kingdom on 5, 4 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 United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and United Kingdom at 67.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is France or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. United Kingdom ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 83.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 73. 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
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
France: 31% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
United Kingdom: more peaceful (1.73 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
United Kingdom: higher perceived safety (51.7 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.920).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 72.7).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
France: 109% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 77 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 539).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
France: more pleasant climate rating (89.6 vs 87.8).
Deciding between France and United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.