Cost of Living: Bologna vs Split (2026)
Italy vs Croatia — relocation comparison
1BR centre
At each city's local median pay
Open incentive regimes for newcomers
- VAT-free under €85k
- 26% social
- €1000/yr accountant
- VAT-free under €40k
- 37% social
- €450/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated May 2026
Verdict delivered. Your move.
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · Gallup · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated May 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Sun clocks out before 5pm in both cities come December. Plan accordingly.
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
On request up to 90 days. 7-day waiting period. High rates of conscientious objection limit practical access.
On request up to 10 weeks. Access limited in practice due to widespread conscientious objection.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Bologna vs Split — Common Questions
Is Bologna cheaper than Split?▾
Split is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1077/month there vs $1130/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Bologna or Split?▾
Bologna is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Bologna has a rate of 0.57 per 100,000 and Split has 0.77 per 100,000.
Should I move to Bologna or Split?▾
Bologna and Split are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Can I live in Bologna or Split without speaking the local language?▾
Split is easier for street-level English (74/100) 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.
What's the cost of rent in Bologna vs Split?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1077/month in Split, $1130/month in Bologna (Numbeo). That's 5% cheaper rent in Split.
Is Bologna or Split better for democracy and rule of law?▾
Bologna scores 7.6/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.5/10 for Split. Both are functional democracies, though the gap matters if you're planning to stay long enough to care about local politics.
Is healthcare better in Bologna or Split?▾
Bologna scores higher on our composite healthcare index (85/100 vs 77/100 for Split). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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