Compare countries · Iceland vs Norway
Iceland vs Norway
Iceland(Europe)·
Norway(Europe)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Iceland leads on 4, Norway on 6, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Iceland cheaper than Norway?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Iceland at 97.2 and Norway at 83.7. Norway is about 14% cheaper overall.
Is Iceland or Norway safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Iceland scores 1.16 and Norway scores 1.69. Iceland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Iceland or Norway?
On the UN Human Development Index, Iceland scores 0.972 and Norway scores 0.970. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Iceland compared to Norway?
GNI per capita runs $89,220 in Iceland against $97,310 in Norway; people live 82.8 years on average against 83.2; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 76. 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)
Iceland
97.2
Worse than 97% of countries
Norway
83.7
Worse than 96% of countries
Norway: 14% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Iceland
49.5
Worse than 97% of countries
Norway
29.2
Worse than 88% of countries
Norway: 41% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Iceland
1.16
Better than 100% of countries
Norway
1.69
Better than 80% of countries
Iceland: more peaceful (1.16 vs 1.69).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Iceland
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Norway
66.7
Better than 72% of countries
Iceland: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 66.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Iceland
0.972
Better than 99% of countries
Norway
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Iceland
$83,431
Better than 94% of countries
Norway
$104,044
Better than 97% of countries
Norway: 25% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Iceland
82.8 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Norway
83.2 yrs
Better than 92% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Iceland
69.1
Better than 67% of countries
Norway
75.8
Better than 86% of countries
Norway: better-rated healthcare (75.8 vs 69.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Iceland
347 Mbps
Better than 97% of countries
Norway
176 Mbps
Better than 74% of countries
Iceland: 97% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Iceland
83/100
Better than 93% of countries
Norway
93/100
Better than 99% of countries
Norway: freer press (93 vs 83 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Iceland
7.54
Better than 99% of countries
Norway
7.24
Better than 96% of countries
Iceland: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.54 vs 7.24).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Iceland
68.8
Worse than 77% of countries
Norway
70.6
Worse than 74% of countries
Norway: more pleasant climate rating (70.6 vs 68.8).
Not comparable for this pair
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
Deciding between Iceland and Norway 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 Iceland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Norway profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.