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Cost of Living: Florence vs Graz (2026)

Italy vs Austria — relocation comparison

TL;DRGraz is 41% cheaper on rent ($772/mo vs $1316/mo). Florence has milder winters (3°C vs -3°C lows). Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
67
Livability Score
🇮🇹 Florence
Italy
Full profile
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Graz
Austria
Full profile
Graz scores 77 to Florence's 67 on livability — the gap is real. Florence has its charms, but the numbers favor Graz.
Florence
Graz
$1316/mo
Rent
$772/mo
7.6/10
Democracy
8.3/10
0.5/100k
Safety
0.9/100k
29/100
English
74/100
5 yr
Time to PR
💰
Cost of Living
Graz
$544/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Florence
0.5 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Graz
8.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
30°C vs 25°C summers
🗣️
English
Graz
higher proficiency score
Florence
Metric
Graz
$1316/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$772/mo
$712/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$909/mo
$7,759
🧳
Cost to land
0.5 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.9 / 100k
42 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
30°C
☀️
Summer high
25°C
3°C
❄️
Winter low
-3°C
46 Mbps
Internet speed
10.9 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
15.1 μg/m³
7.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.3 / 10
29/100
🗣️
Street English
74/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$74k
1.0% · Practically frozen
📈
Inflation
2.9% · Boringly steady
67 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
77 / 100
89/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
87/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
fashion-leathertourismfood-winefintech
Industries
nascent
Startup ecosystem
89/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Easy
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
2,583/mo
Retiree visa
Impatriati Regime, Regime Forfettario, New Residents Flat Tax, 7% Retiree Flat Tax
Tax breaks

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 41% cheaper in Graz ($772/mo vs $1316/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Florence (30°C vs 25°C).
  • Graz scores higher on democracy (8.3 vs 7.6 / 10 EIU).
  • Street-level English is easier in Graz (74/100 vs 29/100).

Florence vs Graz — Common Questions

Is Florence cheaper than Graz?

Graz is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $772/month in Graz vs $1316/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Florence or Graz?

Florence is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Florence has a rate of 0.55 per 100,000 and Graz has 0.88 per 100,000.

Should I move to Florence or Graz?

Graz scores 77 to Florence's 67 on livability — the gap is real. Florence has its charms, but the numbers favor Graz. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Florence or Graz?

Florence: Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 1 year (renewable)). Graz: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Florence or Graz?

Florence is warmer in summer (30°C vs 25°C). Graz 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 Florence or Graz without speaking the local language?

Graz is easier for street-level English (74/100) than Florence (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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