Townleap

Cost of Living: Marseille vs Split (2026)

France vs Croatia — relocation comparison

Your passport:
77
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Marseille
France
Full profile
68
Livability Score
🇭🇷 Split
Croatia
Full profile
Marseille
Split
$902/mo
Rent
$1077/mo
77/100
Livability
68/100
75/100
Safety
79/100
85/100
Healthcare
77/100
5 yr
PR path
169 Mbps
Internet
Micro-entrepreneur
Freelance setup

Wise ✓ · Wise ✓

Obrt

Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026

TL;DRMarseille is 16% cheaper on rent ($902/mo vs $1077/mo). Split is safer — homicide rate 0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
Marseille edges ahead 77 to 68. Split isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
Household
Marseille
Metric
Split
$902/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1077/mo
$700/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$670/mo
$3,775
🧳
Cost to land
$5,244
1.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.8 / 100k
67 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
27°C
☀️
Summer high
30°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
4°C
169 Mbps
Internet speed
7.7 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
8.9 μg/m³
8.0 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
6.5 / 10
38/100
🗣️
Street English
74/100
$63k
💼
GDP per capita
$50k
2.0% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
3.0% · Boringly steady
77 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
68 / 100
93/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
90/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026

💰
Cost of Living
Marseille
$174/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Split
0.8 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Marseille
8.0/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
27°C vs 30°C summers
🗣️
English
Split
higher proficiency score

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
improving
Inflation trend
improving
logisticstourismmaritimetech
Industries
nascent
Startup ecosystem
93/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Moderate
🇺🇸 Your visa
Easy
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Partner can work immediately
Spouse works
1,767/mo
Retiree visa

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
On request
14 wk
Gestational limit
10 wk

On request up to 14 weeks. Enshrined as a constitutional right in March 2024.

On request up to 10 weeks. Access limited in practice due to widespread conscientious objection.

Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

The Short Version

  • Rent is 16% cheaper in Marseille ($902/mo vs $1077/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Split (30°C vs 27°C).
  • Split is safer by homicide rate (0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k).
  • Marseille scores higher on democracy (8.0 vs 6.5 / 10 EIU).
  • Street-level English is easier in Split (74/100 vs 38/100).

Marseille vs Split — Common Questions

Is Marseille cheaper than Split?

Marseille is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $902/month in Marseille vs $1077/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Marseille or Split?

Split is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Marseille has a rate of 1.56 per 100,000 and Split has 0.77 per 100,000.

Should I move to Marseille or Split?

Marseille edges ahead 77 to 68. Split isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Marseille or Split?

Marseille: France Talent Passport (complex process, Up to 4 years). Split: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Marseille or Split?

Split is warmer in summer (30°C vs 27°C). Marseille 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 Marseille or Split without speaking the local language?

Split is easier for street-level English (74/100) than Marseille (38/100). 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 Marseille vs Split?

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $902/month in Marseille, $1077/month in Split (Numbeo). That's 16% cheaper rent in Marseille.

Is Marseille or Split better for democracy and rule of law?

Marseille scores 8.0/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.5/10 for Split. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Is healthcare better in Marseille or Split?

Marseille 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

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