Compare countries · Croatia vs Italy
Croatia vs Italy
Across 13 comparable indicators: Croatia leads on 6, Italy on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Croatia cheaper than Italy?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Croatia at 52.4 and Italy at 61.4. Croatia is about 15% cheaper overall.
Is Croatia or Italy safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Croatia scores 1.62 and Italy scores 1.71. Croatia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Croatia or Italy?
On the UN Human Development Index, Croatia scores 0.889 and Italy scores 0.915. Italy scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Croatia compared to Italy?
GNI per capita runs $25,360 in Croatia against $42,080 in Italy; people live 78.9 years on average against 84.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 65 against 65. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Croatia
52.4
Worse than 72% of countries
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Croatia: 15% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Croatia
18.0
Worse than 65% of countries
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Croatia: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Croatia
1.62
Better than 86% of countries
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Croatia: more peaceful (1.62 vs 1.71).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Croatia
75.7
Better than 91% of countries
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Croatia: higher perceived safety (75.7 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Croatia
0.889
Better than 79% of countries
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Italy: higher human development (0.915 vs 0.889).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Croatia
$50,946
Better than 76% of countries
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Italy: 23% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Croatia
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Italy: 5.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Croatia
65.1
Around the global middle
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Croatia
136 Mbps
Better than 64% of countries
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Croatia: 19% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Croatia
66/100
Better than 69% of countries
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Croatia
6.01
Around the global middle
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Italy: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.57 vs 6.01).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Croatia
617
Better than 93% of countries
Italy
513
Around the global middle
Croatia: stronger English proficiency (617 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Croatia
87.1
Better than 67% of countries
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Italy: more pleasant climate rating (89.8 vs 87.1).
Deciding between Croatia and Italy for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.