Compare countries · Italy vs United States
Italy vs United States
Italy(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Italy leads on 7, United States on 6. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Italy: 11% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Italy: 50% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Italy
1.67
Better than 79% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Italy: more peaceful (1.67 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Italy: higher perceived safety (52.7 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Italy
0.906
Better than 85% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
United States: higher human development (0.927 vs 0.906).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 43% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Italy: 5.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
United States: better-rated healthcare (67.0 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 169% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Italy: freer press (65 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
United States: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.57).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Italy
513
Around the global middle
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Italy: more pleasant climate rating (89.8 vs 75.8).
Quick answers
Is Italy cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Italy at 61.4 and United States at 68.8. Italy is about 11% cheaper overall.
Is Italy or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Italy scores 1.67 and United States scores 2.39. Italy ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Italy or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Italy scores 0.906 and United States scores 0.927. United States scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.