Compare countries · New Zealand vs United Kingdom
New Zealand vs United Kingdom
New Zealand(Oceania)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: New Zealand leads on 6, United Kingdom on 3, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is New Zealand cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts New Zealand at 60.3 and United Kingdom at 67.8. New Zealand is about 11% cheaper overall.
Is New Zealand or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), New Zealand scores 1.34 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. New Zealand ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, New Zealand or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, New Zealand scores 0.938 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in New Zealand compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $46,630 in New Zealand against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 82.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 68 against 73. 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)
New Zealand
60.3
Worse than 81% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
New Zealand: 11% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
New Zealand
26.2
Worse than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
New Zealand: 18% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
New Zealand
1.34
Better than 99% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
New Zealand: more peaceful (1.34 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
New Zealand
51.2
Worse than 61% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
New Zealand
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
New Zealand
$57,350
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 13% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
New Zealand
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
New Zealand
68.2
Better than 62% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 68.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
New Zealand
202 Mbps
Better than 78% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
New Zealand: 20% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
New Zealand
77/100
Better than 87% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 77 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
New Zealand
7.00
Better than 92% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
New Zealand: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.00 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
New Zealand
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
New Zealand
97.2
Better than 95% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
New Zealand: more pleasant climate rating (97.2 vs 87.8).
Deciding between New Zealand and United Kingdom 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 New Zealand profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.