Bulgaria vs Italy
Bulgaria costs roughly 23% less than Italy, though Italy has significantly faster internet infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bulgaria is approximately 23% less expensive than Italy based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bulgaria a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bulgaria has a FIRE Score of 92/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 63.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bulgaria is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Bulgaria
Skip this if you need fluent English or a large expat safety net, expat friendliness scores just 6/10 and English proficiency is medium at best. But a flat 10% income tax, $472 rent, and a 280 EUR/month retirement visa threshold (retirement visa not currently available) make Bulgaria a strong pick for budget-focused retirees or remote workers optimizing for cash flow over comfort.
$1,837/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 | Bulgaria | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 143.8 | 151 +7.2 |
| Healthcare Index | 58.1 | 65.1 +7.0 |
| Safety Index | 63.9 +10.8 | 53.1 |
| Cost of Living Index | 41.6 +9.4 | 51 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $690.9 +326.3 | $1,017.2 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,507.3 +1,125.6 | $3,632.9 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $472.08 +373.09 | $845.17 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $364.56 +296.32 | $660.88 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $783.4 +691.13 | $1,474.53 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $578.75 +512.52 | $1,091.27 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 191.98 Mbps | 285.05 Mbps +93.1 |
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Bulgaria and Italy, side by side.
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