Compare countries · Italy vs Portugal
Italy vs Portugal
Italy(Europe)·
Portugal(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Italy leads on 4, Portugal on 8, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Italy cheaper than Portugal?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Italy at 61.4 and Portugal at 48.8. Portugal is about 21% cheaper overall.
Is Italy or Portugal safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Italy scores 1.71 and Portugal scores 1.43. Portugal ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Italy or Portugal?
On the UN Human Development Index, Italy scores 0.915 and Portugal scores 0.890. 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 Italy compared to Portugal?
GNI per capita runs $42,080 in Italy against $29,930 in Portugal; people live 84.0 years on average against 82.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 65 against 72. 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)
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
Portugal: 21% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
Italy: 19% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Portugal
1.43
Better than 96% of countries
Portugal: more peaceful (1.43 vs 1.71).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Portugal
67.0
Better than 75% of countries
Portugal: higher perceived safety (67.0 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Portugal
0.890
Better than 80% of countries
Italy: higher human development (0.915 vs 0.890).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
Italy: 18% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal: 112% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
Italy: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.57 vs 6.03).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Italy
513
Around the global middle
Portugal
612
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal: stronger English proficiency (612 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 89.8).
Deciding between Italy and Portugal 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 Italy profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.