⚖️ City comparison
Milan vs Rome
Two cities in Italy, compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet and how easy it is to stay.
The short version
- Rome is 23% cheaper: $2,237 vs $2,907 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Rome: $1,271 vs $1,705 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Rome has more pleasant weather: 7 pleasant months a year vs 5.
- Rome is warmer: highs average 6°F more across the year (coldest-month high 57°F vs 46°F in Milan; hottest 93°F vs 86°F).
- Residents rate Rome safer: a safety index of 53 vs 46 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- The air is cleaner in Rome: PM2.5 of 11.2 vs 17 µg/m³ a year.
- Same country, same visa and tax rules: the Digital Nomad Visa (2024) covers both.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇮🇹 Rome |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 59 | 68 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $2,907 | $2,237 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,705 | $1,271 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,202 | $966 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 5 | 7 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 46–86°F | 57–93°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 46/100 (residents) | 53/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 441 Mbps | 389 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 17 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Moderate (EF) | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | High |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~8.5h to New York | ~9h to New York |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 1 h | 1 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (2024) | Digital Nomad Visa (2024) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 43% | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 43% |
Best months to be there
🇮🇹 Milan
3 best months
🇮🇹 Rome
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Milan climate · Rome climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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