Townleap

Cost of Living: Bologna vs Brighton (2026)

Italy vs United Kingdom — relocation comparison

Your passport:
69
Livability Score
🇮🇹 Bologna
Italy
Full profile
66
Livability Score
🇬🇧 Brighton
United Kingdom
Full profile
Bologna
Brighton
$1130/mo
Rent
$1894/mo
69/100
Livability
66/100
84/100
Safety
86/100
76/100
Healthcare
5 yr
PR path
5 yr
Regime Forfettario
Freelance setup

Wise ✓ · Wise ✓

Sole Trader
Impatriati Regime, Regime Forfettario, New Residents Flat Tax, 7% Retiree Flat Tax
Tax breaks

Open incentive regimes for newcomers

TL;DRBologna is 40% cheaper on rent ($1130/mo vs $1894/mo). Bologna is safer — homicide rate 0.6 vs 1.1 per 100k. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
Too close to call — 69 vs 66. Bologna has a slight edge, but Brighton might suit you better depending on your priorities.
Household
Bologna
Metric
Brighton
$1130/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1894/mo
$724/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$859/mo
$6,884
🧳
Cost to land
0.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.1 / 100k
31°C
☀️
Summer high
20°C
2°C
❄️
Winter low
4°C
15 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
7.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.5 / 10
29/100
🗣️
Street English
100/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$62k
1.0% · Practically frozen
📈
Inflation
3.3% · Boringly steady
69 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
66 / 100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years
💰
Cost of Living
Bologna
$764/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Bologna
0.6 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Brighton
8.5/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
31°C vs 20°C summers

Settler Essentials

stable
Inflation trend
5 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Moderate
🇺🇸 Your visa
Moderate
Easy
EU visa
Moderate
Complex
RU visa
Complex
Easy
UA visa
Moderate
Impatriati Regime, Regime Forfettario, New Residents Flat Tax, 7% Retiree Flat Tax
Tax breaks

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

Reproductive Rights

Because your body shouldn't need a visa too

On request
Abortion access
12 wk
Gestational limit

On request up to 90 days. 7-day waiting period. High rates of conscientious objection limit practical access.

Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

The Short Version

  • Rent is 40% cheaper in Bologna ($1130/mo vs $1894/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Bologna (31°C vs 20°C).
  • Bologna is safer by homicide rate (0.6 vs 1.1 per 100k).
  • Brighton scores higher on democracy (8.5 vs 7.6 / 10 EIU).
  • Street-level English is easier in Brighton (100/100 vs 29/100).

Bologna vs Brighton — Common Questions

Is Bologna cheaper than Brighton?

Bologna is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1130/month in Bologna vs $1894/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Bologna or Brighton?

Bologna is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Bologna has a rate of 0.57 per 100,000 and Brighton has 1.12 per 100,000.

Should I move to Bologna or Brighton?

Too close to call — 69 vs 66. Bologna has a slight edge, but Brighton might suit you better depending on your priorities. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Which has better weather, Bologna or Brighton?

Bologna is warmer in summer (31°C vs 20°C). Brighton has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Bologna or Brighton without speaking the local language?

Brighton is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Bologna (29/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

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