Compare countries · France vs United States
France vs United States
France(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 7, United States on 4, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
67.7
Worse than 85% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
France: 45% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
1.89
Better than 63% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
France: more peaceful (1.89 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
United States: higher perceived safety (50.8 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.910
Better than 86% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 41% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
France: 4.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
France: 14% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
France: freer press (77 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
United States: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.59).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 65% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 539).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
France: more pleasant climate rating (89.6 vs 75.8).
Quick answers
Is France cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and United States at 68.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is France or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 1.89 and United States scores 2.39. France ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.910 and United States scores 0.927. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between France and United States 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.