Compare countries · Portugal vs United States
Portugal vs United States
Portugal(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Portugal leads on 8, United States on 5. 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)
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Portugal: 29% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Portugal: 38% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Portugal
1.34
Better than 95% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Portugal: more peaceful (1.34 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Portugal
67.0
Better than 75% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Portugal: higher perceived safety (67.0 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Portugal
0.874
Better than 79% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
United States: higher human development (0.927 vs 0.874).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 69% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Portugal: 3.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Portugal: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 27% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
United States: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.03).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Portugal
612
Better than 89% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 612).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Portugal: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 75.8).
Deciding between Portugal and United States for real?
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Find your match →Full Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.