Compare countries · Norway vs United States
Norway vs United States
Norway(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Norway 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)
Norway
83.7
Worse than 96% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
United States: 18% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Norway
29.2
Worse than 88% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Norway: 28% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Norway
1.46
Better than 90% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Norway: more peaceful (1.46 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Norway
66.7
Better than 72% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Norway: higher perceived safety (66.7 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Norway
0.966
Better than 99% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Norway: higher human development (0.966 vs 0.927).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Norway
$104,044
Better than 97% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
Norway: 16% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Norway
83.2 yrs
Better than 92% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Norway: 4.3 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Norway
75.8
Better than 86% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Norway: better-rated healthcare (75.8 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Norway
176 Mbps
Better than 74% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 75% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Norway
93/100
Better than 99% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Norway: freer press (93 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Norway
7.24
Better than 96% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Norway: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.24 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Norway
613
Better than 90% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 613).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Norway
70.6
Worse than 74% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United States: more pleasant climate rating (75.8 vs 70.6).
Quick answers
Is Norway cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Norway at 83.7 and United States at 68.8. United States is about 18% cheaper overall.
Is Norway or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Norway scores 1.46 and United States scores 2.39. Norway ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Norway or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Norway scores 0.966 and United States scores 0.927. Norway 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 Norway and United States for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.