Compare countries · Greece vs Spain
Greece vs Spain
Across 13 comparable indicators: Greece leads on 2, Spain on 9, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Greece cheaper than Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Greece at 54.0 and Spain at 51.6. Spain is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Greece or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Greece scores 1.83 and Spain scores 1.65. Spain ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Greece or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, Greece scores 0.908 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 Greece compared to Spain?
GNI per capita runs $25,360 in Greece against $37,120 in Spain; people live 81.8 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 59 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)
Greece
54.0
Worse than 75% of countries
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Greece
13.7
Around the global middle
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Greece: 41% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Greece
1.83
Better than 68% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Spain: more peaceful (1.65 vs 1.83).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Greece
53.8
Around the global middle
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 53.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Greece
0.908
Better than 83% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Greece
$45,264
Better than 72% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: 32% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Greece
81.8 yrs
Better than 82% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Spain: 2.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Greece
58.9
Worse than 64% of countries
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 58.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Greece
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
Spain: 196% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Greece
55/100
Around the global middle
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: freer press (75 vs 55 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Greece
5.70
Worse than 58% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Spain: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.54 vs 5.70).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Greece
592
Better than 79% of countries
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Greece: stronger English proficiency (592 vs 540).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Greece
93.0
Better than 84% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Greece and Spain 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.