Compare countries · Ireland vs United States
Ireland vs United States
Ireland(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 6, United States on 4, 3 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)
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.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ireland
1.32
Better than 97% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Ireland: more peaceful (1.32 vs 2.39).
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
0.950
Better than 96% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Ireland: higher human development (0.950 vs 0.927).
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).
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.