Compare countries · Norway vs Sweden
Norway vs Sweden
Across 13 comparable indicators: Norway leads on 6, Sweden 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 Norway cheaper than Sweden?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Norway at 83.7 and Sweden at 68.0. Sweden is about 19% cheaper overall.
Is Norway or Sweden safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Norway scores 1.69 and Sweden scores 1.73. Norway ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Norway or Sweden?
On the UN Human Development Index, Norway scores 0.970 and Sweden scores 0.959. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Norway compared to Sweden?
GNI per capita runs $97,310 in Norway against $63,010 in Sweden; people live 83.2 years on average against 84.1; Numbeo users rate healthcare 76 against 68. 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)
Norway
83.7
Worse than 96% of countries
Sweden
68.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Sweden: 19% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Norway
29.2
Worse than 88% of countries
Sweden
22.6
Worse than 76% of countries
Sweden: 23% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Norway
1.69
Better than 80% of countries
Sweden
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Norway: more peaceful (1.69 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Norway
66.7
Better than 72% of countries
Sweden
52.1
Worse than 58% of countries
Norway: higher perceived safety (66.7 vs 52.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Norway
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Sweden
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Norway
$104,044
Better than 97% of countries
Sweden
$72,529
Better than 89% of countries
Norway: 43% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Norway
83.2 yrs
Better than 92% of countries
Sweden
84.1 yrs
Better than 96% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Norway
75.8
Better than 86% of countries
Sweden
68.3
Better than 63% of countries
Norway: better-rated healthcare (75.8 vs 68.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Norway
176 Mbps
Better than 74% of countries
Sweden
208 Mbps
Better than 79% of countries
Sweden: 18% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Norway
93/100
Better than 99% of countries
Sweden
88/100
Better than 97% of countries
Norway: freer press (93 vs 88 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Norway
7.24
Better than 96% of countries
Sweden
7.25
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Norway
613
Better than 90% of countries
Sweden
609
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Norway
70.6
Worse than 74% of countries
Sweden
65.0
Worse than 86% of countries
Norway: more pleasant climate rating (70.6 vs 65.0).
Deciding between Norway and Sweden 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 Norway profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Sweden profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.