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.
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
1.46
Better than 90% of countries
Iceland: more peaceful (1.16 vs 1.46).
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
0.959
Better than 98% of countries
Norway
0.966
Better than 99% 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?
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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.