Compare countries · Ireland vs United States
Ireland vs United States
Ireland(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 4, United States on 4, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Ireland cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Ireland at 70.6 and United States at 68.8. United States is about 3% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Ireland or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Ireland scores 0.949 and United States scores 0.938. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Ireland compared to United States?
GNI per capita runs $87,360 in Ireland against $88,810 in United States; people live 83.0 years on average against 78.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 51 against 67. 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)
Ireland
70.6
Worse than 91% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
United States: 3% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
43.8
Worse than 96% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
United States: 7% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ireland
51.0
Worse than 62% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ireland
0.949
Better than 95% of countries
United States
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ireland
$155,089
Better than 98% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
Ireland: 72% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ireland
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Ireland: 4.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Ireland
51.2
Worse than 89% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
United States: better-rated healthcare (67.0 vs 51.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ireland
208 Mbps
Better than 80% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 48% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ireland
86/100
Better than 96% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Ireland: freer press (86 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ireland
6.93
Better than 91% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ireland
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Ireland
89.5
Better than 72% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Ireland: more pleasant climate rating (89.5 vs 75.8).
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
Deciding between Ireland and United States 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 Ireland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.