Neither Australia nor the USA is definitively "best" as it depends on personal priorities; Australia often wins for work-life balance, social safety nets (healthcare/education), and political stability, while the USA offers unparalleled career opportunities, innovation (tech/science), and diverse lifestyles but with higher costs and greater social inequality/risks like medical debt. Australia boasts strong worker rights, paid leave, and universal healthcare, but can have higher living costs. The U.S. has more cutting-edge industries and higher earning potential in some fields, but often requires longer hours and lacks robust social welfare, notes this Quora thread, this Quora thread, this Quora thread and this Migration Expert article.
Almost certainly it is. According to the Human Development Index, Australia and NZ rank higher than the USA. Life expectancy is longer while, infant mortality, road trauma and murder rates are lower. There is less 'wealth gap' in AU and NZ than the USA and services such as health care are cheaper and better on average.
The US has more variety and spice in food, better tech, better universities, better aerospace, better business climate. Australia has better secondary education, cheap free healthcare, more regulation, restrictions and less freedom, but more time off in most jobs.
That's approximately USD 4955 per month, according to the exchange rates in May 2025. Interestingly, the average monthly salary in Australia is lower than in the United States (USD 7,920 per month) and the United Kingdom (USD 7,656 per month).
So, on average Australians pay about $3,000 more than Americans a year. Both countries veer close to the OECD average, which was $12,911 USD. Residence of high-tax, high-benefits countries like Norway, in contrast, pay rates of over $30,000 USD.
Highest earning potential / prestige / research opportunities: Study in USA. Big potential for STEM/business—but also highest cost and highest risk. Best overall balance – cost vs working rights vs possible settlement: Study in Australia. Strong choice if you want both work experience and a pathway to stay.
Top 15 Best Countries to Live in the Future
Finland is the world's happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report, offering retirees (and others) peace, safety, and balance. You can collect U.S. Social Security benefits while living in Finland.
The OECD Better Life Index, which measures quality of life according to 11 factors, ranks the United States as 7th among 34 OECD countries.
Moving to the US from Australia can mean new career opportunities, the chance to study at a world-class college or finding the ideal place for a well-earned retirement. Americans are known for their friendly and hard-working attitude, making it a dynamic place to relocate.
The United Nations process the annual World Happiness Report to understand what happiness is and how it affects our lives, cultures and economy. Australia is ranked under 12, Canada 15 and the United States is 16th and a popular destination for most South Africans, the United Kingdom is 17th.
Dangerous wildlife. Various dangerous animals go hand in hand with Australia's diverse landscapes and warm climate. Although you might never come across them, the country is home to numerous venomous spiders, snakes and marine creatures.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
The top 20 countries with the best healthcare are:
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
2021 World Happiness Report
Finland holds the rank of the happiest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year. It is followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland and Netherlands.
The Top 7 Happiest Countries in the World for 2024
Since 2012, the mood in the United States has been on the decline, sliding from 11th to 24th in the global rankings, according to Gallup's 2025 World Happiness Report. Finland holds the top spot for the eighth consecutive year. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands round out the top five happiest countries.
Canada. Canada is consistently ranked among the top countries globally for quality of life, education, and economic opportunities. According to the United Nations Human Development Index, Canada holds the 15th position among 191 countries, measuring achievements in areas such as health, education, and living standards.
Emerging markets (E7) could grow around twice as fast as advanced economies (G7) on average. As a result, six of the seven largest economies in the world are projected to be emerging economies in 2050 led by China (1st), India (2nd) and Indonesia (4th)
Switzerland tops the list of countries with the highest monthly salaries in 2025, offering an impressive average of USD 8,247. Luxembourg follows in second place with USD 6,764, driven by its strong financial sector and high standard of living.
💰 Lower Cost of Education and Living
Tuition fees are generally 20–30% lower in Australia than in the USA. Public healthcare is partially available to international students through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Cities like Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane offer lower living costs than US metro areas.
Australia has high demand for workers in Healthcare (nurses, aged/disability carers, allied health), Tech (software engineers, cybersecurity, data analysts), Construction & Trades (managers, electricians, fitters, civil engineers), and Education (teachers, early childhood educators) due to an aging population, infrastructure projects, and digital transformation, with roles like Chefs, Project Managers, and Automotive Technicians also sought after across various industries.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.