Compare countries · Netherlands vs United States
Netherlands vs United States
Netherlands(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Netherlands leads on 9, United States on 4. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Switch to the full comparison — 50+ indicators, currency toggle →Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
United States: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Netherlands: 5% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Netherlands
1.53
Better than 86% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.53 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Netherlands
0.946
Better than 95% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.927).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 3% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Netherlands: 3.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 29% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 624).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Netherlands: more pleasant climate rating (86.9 vs 75.8).
Quick answers
Is Netherlands cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Netherlands at 73.4 and United States at 68.8. United States is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Netherlands or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Netherlands scores 1.53 and United States scores 2.39. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Netherlands or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Netherlands scores 0.946 and United States scores 0.927. 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.
Deciding between Netherlands 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 Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.