Compare countries · Switzerland vs United States
Switzerland vs United States
Switzerland(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Switzerland leads on 8, United States on 4. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Switzerland cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Switzerland at 110.7 and United States at 68.8. United States is about 38% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Switzerland or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Switzerland scores 0.970 and United States scores 0.938. Switzerland 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 Switzerland compared to United States?
GNI per capita runs $110,330 in Switzerland against $88,810 in United States; people live 84.4 years on average against 78.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 71 against 67. 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)
Switzerland
110.7
Worse than 99% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
United States: 38% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Switzerland
51.5
Worse than 99% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
United States: 21% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Switzerland
72.6
Better than 83% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Switzerland: higher perceived safety (72.6 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Switzerland
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
United States
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
Switzerland: higher human development (0.970 vs 0.938).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Switzerland
$102,513
Better than 97% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
Switzerland: 14% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Switzerland
84.4 yrs
Better than 98% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Switzerland: 5.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Switzerland
71.2
Better than 72% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Switzerland: better-rated healthcare (71.2 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Switzerland
286 Mbps
Better than 94% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 8% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Switzerland
85/100
Better than 95% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Switzerland: freer press (85 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Switzerland
7.02
Better than 93% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Switzerland: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.02 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Switzerland
564
Better than 70% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 564).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Switzerland
80.7
Around the global middle
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Switzerland: more pleasant climate rating (80.7 vs 75.8).
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
Deciding between Switzerland and United States for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.