Compare countries · Italy vs Spain
Italy vs Spain
Across 13 comparable indicators: Italy leads on 2, Spain on 8, 3 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 Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Italy at 61.4 and Spain at 51.6. Spain is about 16% cheaper overall.
Is Italy or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Italy scores 1.71 and Spain scores 1.65. Spain ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Italy or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, Italy scores 0.915 and Spain scores 0.918. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Italy compared to Spain?
GNI per capita runs $42,080 in Italy against $37,120 in Spain; people live 84.0 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 65 against 77. 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
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain: 16% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Italy: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Italy
1.71
Better than 79% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Spain: more peaceful (1.65 vs 1.71).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
Italy: 5% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
Spain: 142% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: freer press (75 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Italy
513
Around the global middle
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Spain: stronger English proficiency (540 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 89.8).
Deciding between Italy and Spain 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 Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.