Bologna vs Rome: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Bologna vs Rome: Bologna runs about $1,550/mo all-in vs $2,300/mo in Rome — Bologna is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate side…
Bologna is the cheaper base — roughly $750/mo less all-in, both feel similarly safe, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Bologna is about $750/mo cheaper — $1,550/mo all-in vs $2,300/mo in Rome (one person).
- Rent: lower in Bologna ($800/mo vs $1,400/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: closely matched (74/100 vs 78/100).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (82/100 vs 78/100).
- Climate: Rome edges ahead (72/100 vs 80/100).
- Visa: both rated Moderate to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — Bologna via the Elective Residency Visa, Rome via the Italy Elective Residency Visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Rome (65/100 vs 84/100).
- Families: closely matched on family safety (72/100 vs 76/100).
- Local salaries: higher in Bologna (~$2,100/mo vs ~$1,800/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Rome logs about 260 sunny days a year vs 220 in Bologna.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bologna or Rome cheaper to live in?
Bologna costs about $1,550/month all-in for one person; Rome costs about $2,300/month. That makes Bologna roughly $750/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Bologna than Rome?
About $750/month for a single person — $1,550/mo in Bologna vs $2,300/mo in Rome, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Bologna or Rome?
They're closely matched — 74/100 for Bologna and 78/100 for Rome. Neighbourhood choice matters more than the city here.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Bologna or Rome?
For connectivity, both are solid (82/100 vs 78/100). On climate, Rome edges ahead (72/100 vs 80/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Bologna or Rome?
Bologna's visa process is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks); Rome's is rated Moderate (about 10 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Bologna and Rome for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.