Cost of Living: Bologna vs Split (2026)
Italy vs Croatia — relocation comparison
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
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · 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 · IEA · 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
Rainbow Index source: ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (European cities) / Equaldex Equality Index (elsewhere) — two distinct scales
The Short Version
- •Rent is 5% cheaper in Split ($1077/mo vs $1130/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Bologna (31°C vs 30°C).
- •Bologna scores higher on democracy (7.6 vs 6.5 / 10 EIU).
- •Street-level English is easier in Split (100/100 vs 29/100).
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?▾
Too close to call — 71 vs 68. Bologna has a slight edge, but Split 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.
Can I live in Bologna or Split without speaking the local language?▾
Split 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.
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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