The US leads in per-capita GDP ($76,398 vs $12,720), military spending ($820.1B vs $296B), and technological innovation, while China surpasses in total population (1.44B vs 345M), manufacturing output, and is closing the gap in high-tech sectors like semiconductors and AI.
United States vs China — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest economy by nominal GDP with technological supremacy in semiconductors, software, and R&D.
World's most populous nation and second-largest economy, dominant in manufacturing and renewable energy.
GDP (Nominal). GDP per Capita. Population. Military Expenditure (2024). Life Expectancy. Internet Users. Patent Filings (2023)
Choose the US for superior per-capita living standards, individual freedoms, economic stability, and technological leadership in innovation-driven sectors. Choose China if prioritizing massive manufacturing capacity, rapid infrastructure development, growing AI/tech capabilities, and influence in emerging markets. Neither is objectively 'better'—they represent different economic and political systems with distinct strengths.
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: $31.82 trillion | People's Republic of China: $35.0+ trillion
United States of America: 22.73% | People's Republic of China: 14.77%
United States of America: 6.31x higher | People's Republic of China: 1.0x (baseline)
United States of America: Emerging leader, <30% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 35%
Combined Global Economic Share (Nominal)
United States of America: 42.46% (combined US-China) | People's Republic of China: 42.46% (combined US-China)
United States of America: $89,000+ | People's Republic of China: $14,100
United States of America: 23.6% | People's Republic of China: 15.2%
United States of America: 18% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States of America: 6% | People's Republic of China: 94%
United States of America: 2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.7%
United States of America: €10,266.8B | People's Republic of China: $6,240,157.8M
United States of America: €925,796.8M | People's Republic of China: $313.7 billion
United States of America: €3,981 | People's Republic of China: €467
United States of America: 20% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: $27.6 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $821 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 57 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 6,300 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: Advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, defense tech | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $15.29 trillion | People's Republic of China: $45.78 trillion
United States of America: $94,800 | People's Republic of China: $15,000
United States of America: 2.0-2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.5-4.8%
United States of America: ~18% | People's Republic of China: 35%
United States of America: $30.1 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 2.0–2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.6–4.8%
United States of America: <5% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
United States of America: 4.5% | People's Republic of China: ~4.0% (estimated)
United States of America: $27.36 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.84 trillion
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $12,556
United States of America: 16% | People's Republic of China: 28%
United States of America: $2.9T | People's Republic of China: $7.8T
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $296 billion
United States of America: 3.4% | People's Republic of China: 2.1%
United States of America: 735 km | People's Republic of China: 48,000 km
United States of America: 9.8 million km² | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 36 people/sq mi | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $12,914 per capita | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 4.7 per 100k | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 0.41 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,290 thousand | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,770 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 27 universities | People's Republic of China: 8 universities
United States of America: $384 billion (2023) | People's Republic of China: $189 billion (2023)
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 813 thousand | People's Republic of China: 1,500 thousand
United States of America: 707 GW | People's Republic of China: 1,854 GW
United States of America: 4.7 physicians | People's Republic of China: 2.1 physicians
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $12,720
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $292 billion
United States of America: 371.8 | People's Republic of China: 1,200
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 78.9 | People's Republic of China: 78.2
United States of America: 4.8 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $11,945 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 2.1 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 79.3 million | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 735 km | People's Republic of China: 45,000 km
United States of America: 61% | People's Republic of China: 22%
United States of America: 345 million | People's Republic of China: 1,440 million
United States of America: 78.1 years | People's Republic of China: 77.9 years
United States of America: 5.0 billion | People's Republic of China: 12.1 billion
United States of America: 312 million | People's Republic of China: 1,050 million
United States of America: $28.5T | People's Republic of China: $23.8T
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024-2026)
United States of America: 2.25% | People's Republic of China: 4.75%
United States of America: $84,000 | People's Republic of China: $17,000
United States of America: 206M | People's Republic of China: 920M
United States of America: 1st | People's Republic of China: 2nd
United States of America: AI, semiconductors, cloud computing | People's Republic of China: 5G, renewables, EVs
United States of America: 82% | People's Republic of China: 63%
United States of America: 814,340 | People's Republic of China: 1,570,000
United States of America: 8.5% | People's Republic of China: 12.3%
United States of America: 16% of global | People's Republic of China: 28% of global
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,700,000
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 4.2%
United States of America: 26.3% | People's Republic of China: 16.4%
United States of America: $285 billion | People's Republic of China: $163 billion
United States of America: 59% | People's Republic of China: 2.7%
United States of America: 128% | People's Republic of China: 77%
United States of America: $820B | People's Republic of China: $296B
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,500,000
United States of America: 91% | People's Republic of China: 76%
United States of America: $0.13 trillion | People's Republic of China: $3.27 trillion
United States of America: $27.4T | People's Republic of China: $17.8T
United States of America: 343M | People's Republic of China: 1,430M
United States of America: 0.921 | People's Republic of China: 0.796
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 4.8%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 38.4 years
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €469
JPMorgan Growth Leadership Outlook (2026)
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: Secondary
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $18.74T
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 5.0-5.3%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 32.94%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €299,621.7M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $620,062.8M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €11,242
How to choose between United States of America and People's Republic of China
Compare United States of America vs People's Republic of China
United States vs China — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for United States vs China. Contains 108 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
United States vs China — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United States vs China.
The US has a larger nominal GDP at $27.36 trillion compared to China's $17.84 trillion (2024 estimates). However, by purchasing power parity (PPP), China's economy is competitive at $31.35 trillion PPP vs $27.36 trillion nominal for the US. The nominal measure reflects market exchange rates, while PPP accounts for cost-of-living differences.
Why does China file more patents than the US despite lower innovation output?
China filed 1.5 million patents in 2023 vs the US's 635,000, but quality metrics differ significantly. The US leads in high-value patents (those enforced internationally), with companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google dominating. China's volume reflects government incentives for patent filings and rapid scaling in manufacturing patents. The US typically leads in foundational AI, semiconductor design, and biotech patents.
What is China's military capability compared to the US?
The US maintains superiority in global military reach: 11 aircraft carrier strike groups, 5,800 nuclear warheads, and $820.1B annual spending vs China's $296B. China leads regionally in the Indo-Pacific with 355+ naval vessels (vs US 296) and advanced hypersonic missiles. Neither could decisively defeat the other in a direct conflict, creating strategic equilibrium.
How do quality of life and living standards compare?
The US has significantly higher per-capita living standards: GDP per capita of $76,398 vs China's $12,720. Average US household income is $74,000 vs China's $13,500. However, China's high savings rate (30% vs 3% US) and lower costs offset income differences. Urban Chinese citizens in tier-1 cities enjoy comparable lifestyle to Americans, but rural populations lag significantly.
Which country is winning the technology race?
It depends on sector: the US dominates in AI infrastructure (Nvidia, OpenAI, Google), cloud computing (AWS, Azure), and biotechnology. China leads in 5G deployment (4.8M base stations vs US 200K), battery technology (CATL, BYD), and EV manufacturing (9.5M units in 2023 vs US 1.6M). Both are locked in strategic competition across semiconductors, with the US ahead in design but China rapidly closing the gap.
How to Choose Between United States of America and People's Republic of China
GDP (Nominal): United States of America has $27.36 trillion, while People's Republic of China has $17.84 trillion.
GDP per Capita: United States of America has $76,398, while People's Republic of China has $12,720.
Population: United States of America has 345 million, while People's Republic of China has 1.44 billion.
Military Expenditure (2024): United States of America has $820.1 billion, while People's Republic of China has $296 billion.
Life Expectancy: United States of America has 78.1 years, while People's Republic of China has 77.9 years.
Internet Users: United States of America has 310 million (91%), while People's Republic of China has 1.08 billion (76%).
Patent Filings (2023): United States of America has 635,000, while People's Republic of China has 1.5 million.