Purpose– To compare the self-reported estimation of sleep quality evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and life quality assessed by the Quality of Life Index (QLI). Background– The PSQI comprised 19 questions and assessed a wide variety of factors relating to sleep quality. The QLI consisted of 10 items for self assessment of different dimensions of life quality. Subjects– A representative Austrian sample (n=1049) aged above 15 years. Procedure– Interviews in the homes of the participants. Results– 32.1% could be classified as poor sleepers (37% females, 26.5% males). Sleep quality decreased with increasing age, especially in women. Overall quality of life was highest in younger (15–29 years) and lowest in elderly subjects (over 50 years). Life quality decreased with increasing age. Between subjective sleep quality and quality of life a moderate, significant correlation was found (r2=0.6721). Conclusions– Complaints about a bad quality of sleep could be used as a screening method in the exploration of patients' quality of life (QoL).