Compare countries · Germany vs Italy
Germany vs Italy
Across 13 comparable indicators: Germany leads on 8, Italy on 5. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Germany cheaper than Italy?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Germany at 68.7 and Italy at 61.4. Italy is about 11% cheaper overall.
Is Germany or Italy safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Germany scores 1.66 and Italy scores 1.71. Germany ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Germany or Italy?
On the UN Human Development Index, Germany scores 0.959 and Italy scores 0.915. Germany 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 Germany compared to Italy?
GNI per capita runs $60,200 in Germany against $42,080 in Italy; people live 80.8 years on average against 84.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 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)
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Italy: 11% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Italy: 17% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Germany
1.66
Better than 83% of countries
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Germany: more peaceful (1.66 vs 1.71).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Germany: higher perceived safety (61.6 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Germany
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Germany: higher human development (0.959 vs 0.915).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Germany: 20% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Italy: 3.2 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Germany: better-rated healthcare (72.4 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Italy: 11% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Germany: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.88 vs 6.57).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Italy
513
Around the global middle
Germany: stronger English proficiency (615 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Italy: more pleasant climate rating (89.8 vs 82.9).
Deciding between Germany and Italy for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Germany profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Italy profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.