Objective To compare quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and their family members of noninfected people in two counties (Zizhong and Zhaojue) with high AIDS morbidity and high HIV infective rates. Methods The quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and 162 of their family members and 97 people noninfected HIV/AIDS was measured by a questionnaire containing the generic quality of life inventory 74 (GQOLI-74) and the social support scale (SSS). Data were analyzed with SPSS. Results Total GQOLI-74 scores and each of the four dimensionality scores were significantly lower for HIV/AIDS people and their family members compared with noninfected people (total score for HIV/AIDS people 52.20 [9.41]; family members 60.46 [11.92]; noninfected people 66.36 [8.90] (Plt;0.01)). Scores for each of the disease status (physical function, psychological function, social function and material status) were all lower compared with noninfected people (all comparisons Plt;0.01). GQOLI-74 scores of HIV/AIDS people were significantly correlated with disease status and social support, but age, education level and substance abuse did not show significantly correlation. Conclusions The quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and their families is significantly lower than the general population, and this is particularly related to the severity of their disease and lack of social support.