Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Switzerland instead of New York, you would:

Health

live 5.5 years longer

In New York, the average life expectancy is 78 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020. In Switzerland, that number is 83 years (81 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

be 10.5% more likely to live below the poverty line

In New York, 13.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Switzerland, however, that number is 14.7% as of 2020.

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

Compare further: New York vs. Switzerland
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Switzerland is 56.1% more expensive than New York
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Size Comparison · See true size
New York is about 3 times bigger than Switzerland.
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City Size Comparison · See true size
Compare the size of New York City vs Geneva
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Switzerland: At a glance

Switzerland is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 39,997 sq km. The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
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How big is Switzerland compared to New York? See an in-depth size comparison.

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