Bologna vs Florence
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Bologna leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Florence where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Florence's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Bologna | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 66 | 68 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 47 | 47 |
| Climate | 93 | 99 |
| Safety | 63 | 63 |
| Summer °C | 23.7 | 24.2 |
| Winter °C | 3.0 | 6.2 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Bologna vs Florence: the short answer
Florence comes out ahead on overall livability (68/100), only marginally above Bologna (66/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Florence is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Bologna 47 vs Florence 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Florence runs warmer in summer (about 24.2°C peak vs 23.7°C in Bologna), while winter lows sit near 3.0°C in Bologna and 6.2°C in Florence. On natural-disaster exposure Florence is the safer choice (safety 63/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Bologna and earthquake for Florence.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Florence — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Florence — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Florence — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Florence — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Bologna or Florence better to live in?
Florence scores higher overall — 68 vs 66 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Bologna or Florence?
Florence has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 47; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Bologna or Florence?
Florence — summer highs reach about 24.2°C versus 23.7°C in Bologna.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Bologna or Florence?
Florence (disaster-safety 63/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Bologna, earthquake in Florence.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Bologna?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Bologna on our risk index.
How is the Bologna vs Florence comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.