Compare countries · Italy vs Switzerland
Italy vs Switzerland
Italy(Europe)·
Switzerland(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Italy leads on 3, Switzerland on 9, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Italy cheaper than Switzerland?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Italy at 61.4 and Switzerland at 110.7. Italy is about 45% cheaper overall.
Is Italy or Switzerland safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Italy scores 1.71 and Switzerland scores 1.36. Switzerland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Italy or Switzerland?
On the UN Human Development Index, Italy scores 0.915 and Switzerland scores 0.970. Switzerland scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Italy compared to Switzerland?
GNI per capita runs $42,080 in Italy against $110,330 in Switzerland; people live 84.0 years on average against 84.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 65 against 71. 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)
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Switzerland
110.7
Worse than 99% of countries
Italy: 45% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Switzerland
51.5
Worse than 99% of countries
Italy: 60% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Switzerland
1.36
Better than 99% of countries
Switzerland: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.71).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Switzerland
72.6
Better than 83% of countries
Switzerland: higher perceived safety (72.6 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Switzerland
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Switzerland: higher human development (0.970 vs 0.915).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Switzerland
$102,513
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland: 63% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Switzerland
84.4 yrs
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Switzerland
71.2
Better than 72% of countries
Switzerland: better-rated healthcare (71.2 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Switzerland
286 Mbps
Better than 94% of countries
Switzerland: 150% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Switzerland
85/100
Better than 95% of countries
Switzerland: freer press (85 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Switzerland
7.02
Better than 93% of countries
Switzerland: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.02 vs 6.57).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Italy
513
Around the global middle
Switzerland
564
Better than 70% of countries
Switzerland: stronger English proficiency (564 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Switzerland
80.7
Around the global middle
Italy: more pleasant climate rating (89.8 vs 80.7).
Deciding between Italy and Switzerland 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 Italy profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Switzerland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.