United States vs Italy
Italy costs roughly 96% less than United States, though United States has significantly faster internet infrastructure, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for United States expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Italy is approximately 96% less expensive than United States based on cost of living including rent. This makes Italy a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Italy has a FIRE Score of 55/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 53.1, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Italy is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
About United States
Not ideal for FIRE-chasers or digital nomads due to the lack of a dedicated retirement or digital nomad visa. Its strongest advantage is a high English proficiency and large expat community, with internet speeds over 300 Mbps. The key trade-off is complex pathways to citizenship and a high cost of living, with rent in city centers averaging $1,669/month.
$155/mo
Not sure which United States visa you qualify for?
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
About Italy
Best for digital nomads: Italy offers a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa with a moderate income requirement of €2,333/mo and a clear path to permanent residency. Rent for a one-bedroom outside the city center averages just $661/mo, roughly 70% cheaper than comparable US cities. The main trade-off is low English proficiency, making daily life challenging without Italian language skills.
$1,138/mo
Not sure which Italy visa you qualify for?
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | United States | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2 — Increased Caution | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 188.8 +37.8 | 151 |
| Healthcare Index | 67.8 +2.7 | 65.1 |
| Safety Index | 50.8 | 53.1 +2.3 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 51 +49.0 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,668.61 | $845.17 +823.44 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,355.41 | $660.88 +694.53 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,688.4 | $1,474.53 +1,213.87 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2,228.12 | $1,091.27 +1,136.85 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 390.28 Mbps +105.2 | 285.05 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Italy. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Italy. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Related Comparisons
Explore Italy
Popular Comparisons
Cities
Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.