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Cost of Living: Florence vs Rome (2026)

Italy vs Italy — relocation comparison

TL;DRFlorence and Rome are surprisingly similar on the numbers. Both cities will charge you about the same to exist.
67
Livability Score
🇮🇹 Florence
Italy
Full profile
68
Livability Score
🇮🇹 Rome
Italy
Full profile
Florence and Rome are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
Florence
Rome
$1316/mo
Rent
$1355/mo
7.6/10
Democracy
7.6/10
0.5/100k
Safety
0.5/100k
29/100
English
29/100
5 yr
Time to PR
5 yr
💰
Cost of Living
Florence
$39/mo cheaper on rent alone
Florence
Metric
Rome
$1316/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1355/mo
$712/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$635/mo
$7,759
🧳
Cost to land
$7,957
0.5 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.5 / 100k
42 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
47 / 100
30°C
☀️
Summer high
30°C
3°C
❄️
Winter low
3°C
46 Mbps
Internet speed
75 Mbps
10.9 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
12.7 μg/m³
7.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.6 / 10
29/100
🗣️
Street English
29/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$62k
1.0% · Practically frozen
📈
Inflation
1.0% · Practically frozen
67 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
68 / 100
89/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
89/100 — Mostly stable
87/100
🗽
Freedom House
87/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Settler Essentials

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

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

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 3% cheaper in Florence ($1316/mo vs $1355/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Florence (30°C vs 30°C).

Florence vs Rome — Common Questions

Is Florence cheaper than Rome?

Florence is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1316/month in Florence vs $1355/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Florence or Rome?

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

Should I move to Florence or Rome?

Florence and Rome 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.

Is it easier to get residency in Florence or Rome?

Florence: Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 1 year (renewable)). Rome: Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 1 year (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

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

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