Cost of Living: Milan vs Split (2026)
Italy vs Croatia — relocation comparison
For the Kids
Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll
Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems
Settler Essentials
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
The Short Version
- •Rent is 38% cheaper in Split ($1077/mo vs $1737/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Split (30°C vs 28°C).
- •Milan scores higher on democracy (7.7 vs 6.5 / 10 EIU).
- •English is easier to get by in Split (84/100 vs 62/100 English proficiency).
Milan vs Split — Common Questions
Is Milan cheaper than Split?▾
Split is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1077/month in Split vs $1737/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Milan or Split?▾
Milan is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Milan has a rate of 0.55 per 100,000 and Split has 0.77 per 100,000.
Should I move to Milan or Split?▾
Milan 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.
Is it easier to get residency in Milan or Split?▾
Milan: Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 1 year (renewable)). Split: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.
Can I live in Milan or Split without speaking the local language?▾
English is easier to get by in Split (EF EPI score: 84/100) than in Milan (62/100). In Split, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Milan, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.
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