Italy vs Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia costs roughly 22% less than Italy, though Italy has significantly faster internet infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Saudi Arabia is approximately 22% less expensive than Italy based on cost of living including rent. This makes Saudi Arabia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Saudi Arabia has a FIRE Score of 71/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 76.1, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Saudi Arabia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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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About Saudi Arabia
Best for FIRE & GeoArbitrage seekers who want zero income tax and low costs — $780/mo excluding rent is 58% cheaper than NYC. Safety is strong with a 76.1 index and crime at 23.9, well below US averages. The dealbreaker: no retirement or digital nomad visa, a difficult path to PR, and a Travel Advisory Level of 3 from the US signals political risk.
$1,619/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Italy | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Quality of Life Index | 151 | 177 +26.0 |
| Healthcare Index | 65.1 +3.3 | 61.8 |
| Safety Index | 53.1 | 76.1 +23.0 |
| Cost of Living Index | 51 | 41.9 +9.1 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,017.2 | $779.8 +237.4 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,632.9 | $2,848.7 +784.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $845.17 | $601.66 +243.51 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $660.88 | $446.24 +214.64 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,474.53 | $1,017.52 +457.01 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,091.27 | $698.71 +392.56 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 285.05 Mbps +88.6 | 196.46 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Saudi Arabia. File confidently from abroad.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Italy and Saudi Arabia, side by side.
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