Compare European Countries by Cost of Living, Salary and Real-Life Affordability

Compare 29 European countries by cost of living, salary and real-life affordability. Built for people deciding where to move: see what you can earn, what daily life costs, and which countries still look realistic after taxes, rent and everyday trade-offs.

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How to use this comparison

Start by comparing 2 to 4 countries, not the whole table at once. Use salary, taxes and cost of living together to judge affordability, then open a country guide or a moving page once a country still makes sense after the numbers.

Tip: multi-country search works too, for example Norway Sweden or Spain vs Portugal.
Country Region Purchasing Power ? Safety ? Healthcare ? English proficiency ? Taxation (%) ? Unemployment (%) ? Cost of Living ? Summer Temperature (°C) Winter Temperature (°C)
🇳🇴 Norway
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Nordic Countries
70/100
88.2/100
82.1/100
90/100
36%
3.2%
69.0
16°C
-4°C
🇸🇪 Sweden
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Nordic Countries
65/100
78.1/100
78.1/100
88/100
52%
5.1%
54.2
17°C
-2°C
🇩🇰 Denmark
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Nordic Countries
62/100
78.1/100
78.1/100
90/100
55%
6.8%
66.9
17°C
2°C
🇫🇮 Finland
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Nordic Countries
58/100
85.2/100
75.1/100
72/100
51%
7.2%
58.7
16°C
-8°C
🇩🇪 Germany
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Central Europe
55/100
79.5/100
80.6/100
56/100
50%
5.6%
58.4
19°C
1°C
🇳🇱 Netherlands
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Western Europe
60/100
76.5/100
82.1/100
90/100
48%
3.8%
60.5
17°C
3°C
🇨🇭 Switzerland
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Western Europe
85/100
84.2/100
81.5/100
61/100
28%
2.8%
98.4
18°C
0°C
🇫🇷 France
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Western Europe
52/100
67.9/100
80.1/100
53/100
56%
8.1%
58.0
20°C
5°C
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
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Western Europe
55/100
67.4/100
75.1/100
100/100
42%
4.5%
59.2
16°C
4°C
🇪🇸 Spain
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Southern Europe
45/100
68.2/100
78.1/100
44/100
47%
12.5%
43.5
25°C
8°C
🇮🇹 Italy
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Southern Europe
42/100
64.8/100
76.1/100
41/100
48%
9.8%
51.0
24°C
6°C
🇵🇱 Poland
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Eastern Europe
32/100
75.2/100
68.1/100
62/100
32%
3.2%
38.9
19°C
-2°C

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Country Comparison FAQ

How should I use this European country comparison page?

Compare 2 to 4 countries first, then check salary against cost of living and affordability. After that, open the country guide or moving page for the country that still looks realistic.

What can I compare on this page?

You can compare cost of living, salary-related purchasing power, taxes, unemployment, English proficiency, safety, healthcare and climate across European countries.

Why is affordability more useful than salary alone?

Because a higher salary does not always mean better real-life outcomes. Taxes, rent and everyday costs can change which country is actually the more practical choice.

Which countries are usually the most expensive in Europe?

Countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland are often among the most expensive, largely due to housing and consumer prices.

Is the data updated for 2026?

Yes. The dataset and page metadata are updated for 2026. Use the table for shortlisting, then confirm details in the linked country guides and route pages.

Sort the table

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Find your best European country

Reading about one country is a good start — but the best choice depends on your income, lifestyle, climate preferences, and priorities. Take our free quiz and compare 35+ European countries in minutes.

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