Compare countries · South Korea vs United States
South Korea vs United States
South Korea(Asia)·
United States(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: South Korea leads on 7, United States on 5, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
South Korea
61.6
Worse than 83% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
South Korea: 10% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
South Korea
16.1
Worse than 59% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
South Korea: 60% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
South Korea
1.80
Better than 73% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
South Korea: more peaceful (1.80 vs 2.39).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
South Korea
71.0
Better than 80% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
South Korea: higher perceived safety (71.0 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
South Korea
0.929
Better than 91% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
South Korea
$63,125
Better than 84% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 43% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
South Korea
83.6 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
South Korea: 4.7 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
South Korea
82.9
Better than 98% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
South Korea: better-rated healthcare (82.9 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
South Korea
253 Mbps
Better than 88% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 22% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
South Korea
69/100
Better than 73% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
South Korea: freer press (69 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
South Korea
6.04
Around the global middle
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
United States: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.04).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
South Korea
522
Better than 57% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 522).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
South Korea
71.9
Worse than 66% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United States: more pleasant climate rating (75.8 vs 71.9).
Quick answers
Is South Korea cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts South Korea at 61.6 and United States at 68.8. South Korea is about 10% cheaper overall.
Is South Korea or United States safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), South Korea scores 1.80 and United States scores 2.39. South Korea ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, South Korea or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, South Korea scores 0.929 and United States scores 0.927. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between South Korea 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.