Compare countries · Norway vs Switzerland
Norway vs Switzerland
Norway(Europe)·
Switzerland(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Norway leads on 6, Switzerland on 4, 3 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 Switzerland?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Norway at 83.7 and Switzerland at 110.7. Norway is about 24% cheaper overall.
Is Norway or Switzerland safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Norway scores 1.69 and Switzerland scores 1.36. Switzerland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Norway or Switzerland?
On the UN Human Development Index, Norway scores 0.970 and Switzerland scores 0.970. 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 Switzerland?
GNI per capita runs $97,310 in Norway against $110,330 in Switzerland; people live 83.2 years on average against 84.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 76 against 71. 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
Switzerland
110.7
Worse than 99% of countries
Norway: 24% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Norway
29.2
Worse than 88% of countries
Switzerland
51.5
Worse than 99% of countries
Norway: 43% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Norway
1.69
Better than 80% of countries
Switzerland
1.36
Better than 99% of countries
Switzerland: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.69).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Norway
66.7
Better than 72% of countries
Switzerland
72.6
Better than 83% of countries
Switzerland: higher perceived safety (72.6 vs 66.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Norway
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Switzerland
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Norway
$104,044
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland
$102,513
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Norway
83.2 yrs
Better than 92% of countries
Switzerland
84.4 yrs
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Norway
75.8
Better than 86% of countries
Switzerland
71.2
Better than 72% of countries
Norway: better-rated healthcare (75.8 vs 71.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Norway
176 Mbps
Better than 74% of countries
Switzerland
286 Mbps
Better than 94% of countries
Switzerland: 63% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Norway
93/100
Better than 99% of countries
Switzerland
85/100
Better than 95% of countries
Norway: freer press (93 vs 85 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Norway
7.24
Better than 96% of countries
Switzerland
7.02
Better than 93% of countries
Norway: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.24 vs 7.02).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Norway
613
Better than 90% of countries
Switzerland
564
Better than 70% of countries
Norway: stronger English proficiency (613 vs 564).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Norway
70.6
Worse than 74% of countries
Switzerland
80.7
Around the global middle
Switzerland: more pleasant climate rating (80.7 vs 70.6).
Deciding between Norway and Switzerland 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 Switzerland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.