Compare countries · New Zealand vs United States
New Zealand vs United States
New Zealand(Oceania)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: New Zealand leads on 7, United States on 2, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
New Zealand
60.3
Worse than 81% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
New Zealand: 12% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
New Zealand
26.2
Worse than 84% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
New Zealand: 36% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
New Zealand
1.27
Better than 99% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
New Zealand: more peaceful (1.27 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
New Zealand
51.2
Worse than 61% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
New Zealand
0.939
Better than 92% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
New Zealand
$57,350
Better than 81% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 57% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
New Zealand
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
New Zealand: 3.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
New Zealand
68.2
Better than 62% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
New Zealand
202 Mbps
Better than 78% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 53% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
New Zealand
77/100
Better than 87% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
New Zealand: freer press (77 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
New Zealand
7.00
Better than 92% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
New Zealand: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.00 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
New Zealand
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States
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 States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
New Zealand: more pleasant climate rating (97.2 vs 75.8).
Deciding between New Zealand 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 New Zealand profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.