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Bologna vs Kuala Lumpur — Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.

Italy
Cost of Living (US=100)
7
very affordable
Malaysia
Cost of Living (US=100)
37
affordable
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data

Bologna edges out Kuala Lumpur on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 7 vs 36.5 (US=100; very affordable vs affordable). Bologna scores higher on safety (78/100), and Bologna wins on internet at ~150 Mbps. Overall, Kuala Lumpur takes the Nomad Score crown with 75/100 — best for budget nomad and english speakers.

Metric
Bologna
Kuala Lumpur
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$950
US$520
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$700
US$340
Cost of Living (US=100)
7
37
Safety Score
78/100
60/100
Internet Speed
150 Mbps
140 Mbps
Nomad Score
74/100
75/100
Healthcare Score
80/100
74/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available

Who is each city for?

Bologna is better for…
Remote workers
See the Italy country profile
Kuala Lumpur is better for…
Budget nomadEnglish speakersFamilyFoodies
See the Malaysia country profile

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