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Berlin vs Milan

Milan runs about 10% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 315 USD a month.

Exterior of Fotografiska Berlin on Oranienburger Straße showing the front facade of the building. ©PionStudio
Berlin
$3,011/month · Germany
Shaysd · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vista di un prato dei Giardini pubblici Indro Montanelli, Milano, Italia - 30 Ottobre 2015.
Milan
$2,696/month · Italy
Alessandro Perazzoli · CC BY-SA 4.0
Berlin monthly
$3,011
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Milan monthly
$2,696
Index 42 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-10%
Milan relative to Berlin
Rent gap
$100
Milan costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BerlinMilan
  • Housing
    Housing: Berlin $1,450, Milan $1,550. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Food
    Food: Berlin $558, Milan $618. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Berlin $195, Milan $93. Cheaper in Milan.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Berlin $245, Milan $177. Cheaper in Milan.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Berlin $327, Milan $34. Cheaper in Milan.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Berlin $120, Milan $139. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Other
    Other: Berlin $116, Milan $85. Cheaper in Milan.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBerlinMilan
Cost
Total monthly cost3,011 USD2,696 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4742✓
Housing1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
Utilities245 USD177 USD✓
Food558 USD✓618 USD
Transport195 USD93 USD✓
Healthcare327 USD34 USD✓
Lifestyle120 USD✓139 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,965 USD✓4,505 USD
Effective tax + social rate40.4%✓45.9%
Left over each month1,954 USD✓1,809 USD
Average local net salary2,700 USD✓2,100 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,700 USD✓2,900 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,800 USD✓9,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓62/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality70/100✓52/100
Public transport90/100✓82/100
Walkability88/10088/100
English proficiency78/100✓54/100
Nightlife94/100✓88/100
Family friendliness78/100✓72/100
Median broadband140 Mbps✓130 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓13°C
Summer high25°C✓29°C
Winter low-1°C0°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,630 h1,980 h✓
Annual rainfall570 mm✓1000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby110 min✓
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/BerlinEurope/Rome

Milan runs about 10% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 315 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Berlin or Milan cheaper?

Milan runs about 10% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 315 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Milan compared with Berlin?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,965 a month in Berlin and $4,505 in Milan, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Berlin or Milan?

Berlin scores 68/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Milan scores 62 and 84. Berlin averages 11°C against 13°C in Milan.