Compare countries · Spain vs United Kingdom
Spain vs United Kingdom
Spain(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Spain leads on 8, United Kingdom on 5. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Spain cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Spain at 51.6 and United Kingdom at 67.8. Spain is about 24% cheaper overall.
Is Spain or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Spain scores 1.65 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Spain ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Spain or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Spain scores 0.918 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. United Kingdom scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Spain compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $37,120 in Spain against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 83.9 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 73. 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)
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Spain: 24% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Spain: 28% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Spain: more peaceful (1.65 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.918).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 8% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Spain: 2.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 72.7).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Spain: 65% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 75 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 540).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 87.8).
Deciding between Spain and United Kingdom 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 Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.