Italy vs Serbia
Serbia costs roughly 20% less than Italy, though Italy scores higher on healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Serbia is approximately 20% less expensive than Italy based on cost of living including rent. This makes Serbia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Serbia has a FIRE Score of 87/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 62.8, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Serbia 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 Serbia
A 1BR in central Belgrade runs $514, less than a studio in most mid-size US cities, with a flat 10% income tax and a $711 monthly budget covering essentials easily. Retirement visa needs just EUR 400/mo income, among the lowest thresholds in Europe. The catch: no digital nomad visa and a path to permanent residency exists, but permanent residency does not necessarily lead to EU stability.
$1,775/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 | Serbia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 151 +26.2 | 124.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 65.1 +13.0 | 52.1 |
| Safety Index | 53.1 | 62.8 +9.7 |
| Cost of Living Index | 51 | 42.6 +8.4 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,017.2 | $711.5 +305.7 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,632.9 | $2,474.6 +1,158.3 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $845.17 | $513.94 +331.23 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $660.88 | $380.7 +280.18 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,474.53 | $956.49 +518.04 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,091.27 | $686.17 +405.1 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 285.05 Mbps +174.8 | 110.27 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Serbia. File confidently from abroad.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Italy and Serbia, side by side.
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