Compare countries · Netherlands vs Spain
Netherlands vs Spain
Netherlands(Europe)·
Spain(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Netherlands leads on 8, Spain on 5. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Netherlands cheaper than Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Netherlands at 73.4 and Spain at 51.6. Spain is about 30% cheaper overall.
Is Netherlands or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Netherlands scores 1.57 and Spain scores 1.65. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Netherlands or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, Netherlands scores 0.955 and Spain scores 0.918. Netherlands 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 Netherlands compared to Spain?
GNI per capita runs $68,530 in Netherlands against $37,120 in Spain; people live 82.0 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 82 against 77. 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)
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain: 30% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Spain: 40% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.57 vs 1.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 62.4).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands: higher human development (0.955 vs 0.918).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
Netherlands: 46% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Spain: 1.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 77.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
Spain: 16% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 75 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Netherlands: stronger English proficiency (624 vs 540).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 86.9).
Deciding between Netherlands and Spain 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 Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.