Cost of Living: Rome 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 21% cheaper in Split ($1077/mo vs $1355/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Rome 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).
Rome vs Split — Common Questions
Is Rome cheaper than Split?▾
Split is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1077/month in Split vs $1355/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Rome or Split?▾
Rome is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Rome has a rate of 0.55 per 100,000 and Split has 0.77 per 100,000.
Should I move to Rome or Split?▾
Rome 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 Rome or Split?▾
Rome: 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 Rome or Split without speaking the local language?▾
English is easier to get by in Split (EF EPI score: 84/100) than in Rome (62/100). In Split, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Rome, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.
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