Side-by-side city decision # Florence vs Cartagena. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link FlorenceItaly3/6 VS CartagenaColombia3/6 $2,408Florence monthly budget $1,435Cartagena monthly budget 115 MbpsFlorence internet 150 MbpsCartagena internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Cartagena Speed Fastest internet Cartagena Vibe Best nomad vibe Florence Safety Highest safety Florence Air Cleanest air Cartagena Walk Most walkable Florence Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Florence](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/italy/florence.md) Italy 3/6 Budget$2,408 Internet115 Mbps Vibe9/10 [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia 3/6 Budget$1,435 Internet150 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricFlorenceCartagena Total estimated budget $2,408 $1,435 1-bed center rent $1,550 $850 Coworking desk $295 $180 Local meal $17.5 $6.5 Cappuccino $1.9 $2.4 Gym membership $65 $45 Transport budget $38 $65 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricFlorenceCartagena Internet speed 115 Mbps 150 Mbps Nomad vibe 9/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricFlorenceCartagena Safety index 72/100 48/100 Air quality 67/100 68/100 Walkability 10/10 7/10 Female safety 8/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricFlorenceCartagena Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Mediterranean Tropical savanna Best time to visit Apr - Jun Dec - Mar Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Florence](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/italy/florence.md) Italy → ### Strengths * World-class art, architecture, and food * Highly walkable compact historic center * Strong rail links to Rome, Milan, and Bologna * Reliable fiber internet in many central apartments * Large international student and expat community * Excellent public healthcare and drinking water ### Trade-offs * High rents and fierce competition for furnished flats * Summer heat, crowds, and tourist congestion * Historic apartments can be dark, noisy, or poorly insulated * Italian bureaucracy can be slow and document-heavy * Limited late-night public transport * Petty theft risks rise around major tourist sites ### Common visa routes * Italy Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa-free or tourist visa * Italian elective residence visa [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia → ### Strengths * Beautiful colonial architecture and Caribbean beaches * Strong restaurant, nightlife, and cultural scene * Affordable local food and ride-hailing * Reliable fiber internet in central neighborhoods * International airport close to the city center * Growing remote-worker and expat community ### Trade-offs * Persistent heat and high humidity * Petty theft and tourist scams require vigilance * Short-term rents rise sharply in high season * Traffic, noise, and street vendors can be intense * English is limited outside tourist-facing businesses * Rainy-season flooding can disrupt local travel ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, typically 90 days * Tourist stay extension for up to an additional 90 days * Colombia Digital Nomad Visa for eligible remote workers Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.