Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 4.6 years less

In Washington, the average life expectancy is 79 years (78 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 82.0% less money

Washington has a GDP per capita of $87,768 as of 2024, while in Palau, the GDP per capita is $15,800 as of 2023.

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Basic Needs

be 60.0% less likely to have internet access

In Washington, approximately 93.1% 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: Washington vs. Palau
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Palau is 9.1% cheaper than Washington
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Size Comparison · See true size
Washington is about 375 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 Washington? See an in-depth size comparison.

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