Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Palau instead of Iowa, you would:

Health

live 2.9 years less

In Iowa, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Palau, that number is 75 years (71 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

make 75.2% less money

Iowa has a GDP per capita of $63,747 as of 2024, while in Palau, the GDP per capita is $15,800 as of 2023.

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Basic Needs

be 57.7% less likely to have internet access

In Iowa, approximately 87.9% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Palau, about 37.2% do as of 2021.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), The World Factbook.

Compare further: Iowa vs. Palau
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Palau is 6.8% more expensive than Iowa
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Size Comparison · See true size
Iowa is about 315 times bigger than Palau.
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Palau: At a glance

Palau is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 459 sq km. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
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How big is Palau compared to Iowa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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