Vatican City vs Italy
Italy costs roughly 6% less than Vatican City, though Vatican City scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Italy is approximately 6% less expensive than Vatican City 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 Vatican City
Vatican City is best for ultra-wealthy retirees seeking extreme safety, with a Safety Index of 88.4. Its cost of living is moderate, with a Cost of Living Plus Rent Index of 85, but rent for a 1BR in the city center averages $2,000/month. The key trade-off is no digital nomad or retirement visa and no pathway to citizenship or residency, making residency nearly impossible.
$-100/mo
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About Italy
Retirees with steady income fare better here than remote workers chasing savings. Rent outside the center runs $660.88/mo, cheap by European standards, but income tax climbing to 43% erodes any freelance upside fast. The Elective Residence Visa requires $2,895/mo in passive income, and citizenship stays complex even after years of residency.
$1,138/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Vatican City | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 185.7 +34.7 | 151 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.1 +7.0 | 65.1 |
| Safety Index | 88.4 +35.3 | 53.1 |
| Cost of Living Index | 54 | 51 +3.0 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,100 | $1,017.2 +82.8 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,200 +432.9 | $3,632.9 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2,000 | $845.17 +1,154.83 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,500 | $660.88 +839.12 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3,800 | $1,474.53 +2,325.47 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3,000 | $1,091.27 +1,908.73 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 150 Mbps | 285.05 Mbps +135.1 |
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