Compare countries · United Kingdom vs United States
United Kingdom vs United States
United Kingdom(Europe)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: United Kingdom leads on 5, United States on 2, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is United Kingdom cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts United Kingdom at 67.8 and United States at 68.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Which has the higher quality of life, United Kingdom or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, United Kingdom scores 0.946 and United States scores 0.938. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in United Kingdom compared to United States?
GNI per capita runs $54,550 in United Kingdom against $88,810 in United States; people live 81.4 years on average against 78.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 73 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)
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
United Kingdom: 21% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United States
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 39% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
United Kingdom: 2.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 84% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United Kingdom: more pleasant climate rating (87.8 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 United Kingdom and United States 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 United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.