Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Norway instead of New Mexico, you would:

Health

be 37.3% less likely to be obese

In New Mexico, 32.2% of adults are obese as of 2022. In Norway, that number is 20.2% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 31.1% less likely to live below the poverty line

In New Mexico, 17.7% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Norway, however, that number is 12.2% as of 2021.

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make 68.9% more money

New Mexico has a GDP per capita of $56,008 as of 2024, while in Norway, the GDP per capita is $94,594 as of 2025.

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be 10.5% more likely to be unemployed

In New Mexico, 4.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Norway, that number is 4.6% as of 2025.

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Basic Needs

be 17.2% more likely to have internet access

In New Mexico, approximately 84.5% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Norway, about 99.0% do as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), US Census Bureau (American Community Survey) (2023), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES) (2022), World Health Organization (2024), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024). How we calculate this

Compare further: New Mexico vs. Norway

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Norway is 14.7% more expensive than New Mexico
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Size Comparison · See true size
New Mexico is around the same size as Norway.
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Moving from New Mexico to Norway · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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City Size Comparison · See true size
Compare the size of Albuquerque vs Oslo
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Norway: At a glance

Norway is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 304,282 sq km. Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country's extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness.
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How big is Norway compared to New Mexico? See an in-depth size comparison.

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