Back to Resources

    Milan vs Shanghai: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‘—

    Milan

    Italy ยท $2,600/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

    Shanghai

    China ยท $2,200/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Milan, Italy and Shanghai, China is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Milan and Shanghai across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Milan earns an overall score of 73.14/100, while Shanghai scores 72.74/100. A 0.40-point modest gap that Milan leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Milan is described as: "Italy's business capital. Fashion, design, and finance converge in this dynamic city." Meanwhile, Shanghai is known as: "China's futuristic financial hub. Stunning skyline and rapid modernization." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Milan

    61
    / 100

    Shanghai

    72

    In economic factors, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Shanghai has a commanding lead in cost factors (76 vs 53).

    Shanghai stands out for transportation costs, daily living costs, entertainment costs, though freelance/remote work market and education costs could be improved. Milan performs well in currency stability and transportation costs despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Milan

    67
    / 100

    Shanghai

    71

    Job Market Strength

    78/ 10082

    Salary Levels

    62/ 10068

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    58/ 10052

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    68/ 10083

    Cost Factors

    Milan

    53
    / 100

    Shanghai

    76

    Housing Costs

    32/ 10058

    Daily Living Costs

    38/ 10089

    Transportation Costs

    88/ 10094

    Entertainment Costs

    45/ 10084

    Healthcare Costs

    72/ 10078

    Education Costs

    42/ 10052

    Economic Environment

    Milan

    68
    / 100

    Shanghai

    68

    Tax Rates

    38/ 10059

    Business Regulations

    42/ 10054

    Economic Stability

    82/ 10081

    Currency Stability

    92/ 10076

    Banking System

    85/ 10071

    Quality of Life

    Milan

    70
    / 100

    Shanghai

    66

    In quality of life, Milan takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Milan has a solid advantage in climate & nature (70 vs 54).

    Milan stands out for universities, mountains/hiking, political stability, though beach/water access and air quality could be improved. Shanghai performs well in international schools and crime rates despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Milan

    67
    / 100

    Shanghai

    65

    Healthcare Quality

    71/ 10071

    Healthcare Accessibility

    78/ 10076

    Healthcare Affordability

    70/ 10069

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    62/ 10062

    Mental Health Services

    52/ 10048

    Dental Care

    68/ 10066

    Education

    Milan

    83
    / 100

    Shanghai

    83

    School Quality

    78/ 10079

    International Schools

    82/ 10091

    Universities

    93/ 10087

    Language Schools

    88/ 10086

    Vocational Training

    72/ 10074

    Safety & Environment

    Milan

    62
    / 100

    Shanghai

    66

    Crime Rates

    46/ 10089

    Personal Safety

    47/ 10084

    Political Stability

    90/ 10088

    Natural Disaster Risk

    88/ 10068

    Air Quality

    32/ 10038

    Water Quality

    85/ 10044

    Noise Pollution

    45/ 10053

    Climate & Nature

    Milan

    70
    / 100

    Shanghai

    54

    Climate Suitability

    85/ 10081

    Sunshine Hours

    65/ 10064

    Rainfall Patterns

    70/ 10059

    Natural Beauty

    88/ 10068

    Green Spaces

    78/ 10058

    Beach/Water Access

    15/ 10029

    Mountains/Hiking

    92/ 10022

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Milan

    79
    / 100

    Shanghai

    81

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 79/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Shanghai has a solid advantage in connectivity (80 vs 70).

    Shanghai stands out for public transport quality, public transport affordability, train connections, though ferry connections and traffic congestion could be improved. Milan performs well in public transport affordability and airport connectivity despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Milan

    80
    / 100

    Shanghai

    78

    Public Transport Quality

    92/ 10096

    Public Transport Coverage

    90/ 10094

    Public Transport Affordability

    95/ 10096

    Bike Infrastructure

    68/ 10061

    Walkability

    82/ 10079

    Traffic Congestion

    72/ 10049

    Driving Conditions

    65/ 10054

    Taxi/Rideshare

    78/ 10091

    Car Ownership Necessity

    82/ 10083

    Connectivity

    Milan

    70
    / 100

    Shanghai

    80

    Airport Connectivity

    95/ 10094

    Airport Distance

    82/ 10089

    Train Connections

    95/ 10095

    Bus Connections

    80/ 10082

    Ferry Connections

    0/ 10041

    Digital Infrastructure

    Milan

    85
    / 100

    Shanghai

    87

    Internet Speed

    85/ 10089

    Internet Reliability

    88/ 10084

    Internet Cost

    82/ 10093

    Mobile Network Quality

    88/ 10094

    Coworking Spaces

    90/ 10084

    Public WiFi

    75/ 10079

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Milan

    63
    / 100

    Shanghai

    74

    In housing & living spaces, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 74/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Shanghai has a solid advantage in housing market (66 vs 53).

    Shanghai stands out for proximity to amenities, expat/international areas, neighborhood diversity, though purchase prices and landlord regulations could be improved. Milan performs well in proximity to amenities and expat/international areas despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Milan

    53
    / 100

    Shanghai

    66

    Rental Availability

    38/ 10074

    Rental Costs

    30/ 10061

    Purchase Prices

    35/ 10041

    Housing Quality

    80/ 10084

    Housing Variety

    82/ 10081

    Landlord Regulations

    55/ 10057

    Neighborhoods

    Milan

    78
    / 100

    Shanghai

    85

    Neighborhood Diversity

    78/ 10086

    Expat/International Areas

    85/ 10092

    Gentrification Trends

    55/ 10067

    Proximity to Amenities

    92/ 10094

    Daily Life & Services

    Milan

    81
    / 100

    Shanghai

    84

    In daily life & services, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 84/100 compared to 81/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Shanghai stands out for e-commerce, restaurant variety, street food, though waste management and postal services could be improved. Milan performs well in international brands and restaurant variety despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Milan

    81
    / 100

    Shanghai

    90

    Supermarket Availability

    90/ 10093

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    75/ 10089

    Shopping Mall Quality

    80/ 10085

    International Brands

    95/ 10088

    Local Markets

    90/ 10094

    Opening Hours

    55/ 10083

    E-commerce

    85/ 10096

    Food & Dining

    Milan

    82
    / 100

    Shanghai

    88

    Restaurant Variety

    95/ 10096

    Restaurant Quality

    95/ 10091

    Restaurant Affordability

    42/ 10084

    Cafรฉ Culture

    95/ 10079

    Street Food

    65/ 10095

    Alcohol Availability

    90/ 10078

    Food Delivery

    90/ 10094

    Essential Services

    Milan

    82
    / 100

    Shanghai

    80

    Pharmacy Density

    92/ 10091

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    80/ 10069

    Medicine Availability

    90/ 10083

    Postal Services

    72/ 10068

    Banking Services

    85/ 10084

    Laundry Services

    80/ 10079

    Repair Services

    75/ 10081

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    85/ 10089

    Pet Services

    78/ 10073

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Milan

    80
    / 100

    Shanghai

    79

    Electricity Reliability

    95/ 10086

    Water Reliability

    90/ 10081

    Utility Costs

    65/ 10089

    Heating/Cooling

    70/ 10077

    Waste Management

    80/ 10064

    Cultural & Social Life

    Milan

    78
    / 100

    Shanghai

    77

    In cultural & social life, Milan takes the lead with a score of 78/100 compared to 77/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Milan stands out for museums & galleries, historical sites, theaters & performing arts, though language barriers and nightlife safety could be improved. Shanghai performs well in museums & galleries and historical sites despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Milan

    87
    / 100

    Shanghai

    84

    Museums & Galleries

    95/ 10091

    Historical Sites

    95/ 10089

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    92/ 10081

    Music Scene

    85/ 10076

    Cinema Options

    78/ 10084

    Libraries

    75/ 10078

    Art Scene

    90/ 10086

    Social Life

    Milan

    78
    / 100

    Shanghai

    76

    Nightlife Quality

    85/ 10079

    Nightlife Safety

    55/ 10084

    Festival Calendar

    85/ 10086

    Sports Culture

    90/ 10071

    Social Clubs

    75/ 10081

    Dating Scene

    75/ 10074

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    78/ 10059

    Community

    Milan

    66
    / 100

    Shanghai

    70

    Local Friendliness

    62/ 10069

    Expat Community Size

    85/ 10089

    Expat Integration

    60/ 10064

    Language Barriers

    32/ 10039

    Cultural Events

    90/ 10087

    Professional & Career

    Milan

    75
    / 100

    Shanghai

    73

    In professional & career, Milan takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Milan stands out for industry clusters, internet for work, major companies, though competition level and work-life balance could be improved. Shanghai performs well in internet for work and client base despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Milan

    81
    / 100

    Shanghai

    83

    Industry Clusters

    90/ 10089

    Major Companies

    85/ 10088

    Startup Ecosystem

    72/ 10084

    Coworking Culture

    85/ 10082

    Professional Networking

    80/ 10081

    Business Associations

    75/ 10076

    Work Environment

    Milan

    75
    / 100

    Shanghai

    66

    Work-Life Balance

    55/ 10041

    Remote Work Acceptance

    75/ 10049

    Internet for Work

    90/ 10091

    Time Zone

    85/ 10079

    Business Visa Options

    70/ 10069

    Market Opportunities

    Milan

    64
    / 100

    Shanghai

    65

    Client Base

    85/ 10091

    Freelance Market

    60/ 10058

    Competition Level

    48/ 10047

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Milan

    68
    / 100

    Shanghai

    69

    In lifestyle & pace, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 69/100 compared to 68/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Shanghai stands out for tourist infrastructure, shop opening hours, dining hours, though working hours culture and crowding could be improved. Milan performs well in dining hours and tourist infrastructure despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Milan

    66
    / 100

    Shanghai

    70

    Pace of Life

    60/ 10068

    Working Hours Culture

    50/ 10039

    Dining Hours

    85/ 10082

    Shop Opening Hours

    60/ 10084

    Weekend Culture

    75/ 10076

    Lifestyle Options

    Milan

    76
    / 100

    Shanghai

    70

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    80/ 10061

    Fitness Culture

    75/ 10074

    Health Consciousness

    65/ 10066

    Pet Friendliness

    80/ 10071

    Family Orientation

    78/ 10079

    Tourism Impact

    Milan

    61
    / 100

    Shanghai

    68

    Tourist Volume

    45/ 10065

    Tourism Seasonality

    55/ 10062

    Tourist Infrastructure

    85/ 10092

    Authenticity

    80/ 10072

    Crowding

    40/ 10048

    Legal & Administrative

    Milan

    68
    / 100

    Shanghai

    48

    In legal & administrative, Milan takes the lead with a score of 68/100 compared to 48/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Milan has a solid advantage in visa & residency (64 vs 49). Milan has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (82 vs 43).

    Milan stands out for deportation risk, religious freedom, freedom of speech, though bureaucracy level and residency process could be improved. Shanghai performs well in digital government and women's rights despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Milan

    64
    / 100

    Shanghai

    49

    Visa Requirements

    68/ 10049

    Residency Options

    78/ 10061

    Residency Process

    38/ 10046

    Citizenship Pathway

    45/ 10028

    Deportation Risk

    92/ 10062

    Administration

    Milan

    57
    / 100

    Shanghai

    52

    Bureaucracy Level

    35/ 10042

    Digital Government

    62/ 10071

    Document Requirements

    60/ 10051

    Language Requirements

    45/ 10038

    Legal System

    82/ 10059

    Rights & Freedoms

    Milan

    82
    / 100

    Shanghai

    43

    Freedom of Speech

    85/ 10019

    Religious Freedom

    88/ 10037

    Women's Rights

    80/ 10068

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    75/ 10041

    Worker Rights

    80/ 10049

    Family & Children

    Milan

    72
    / 100

    Shanghai

    75

    In family & children, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 72/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Shanghai stands out for child safety, kid activities, playgrounds, though childcare costs and childcare availability could be improved. Milan performs well in kid activities and playgrounds despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Milan

    77
    / 100

    Shanghai

    80

    Playgrounds

    80/ 10081

    Kid Activities

    85/ 10082

    Child Safety

    65/ 10088

    Pediatric Care

    80/ 10076

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    75/ 10074

    Family Services

    Milan

    67
    / 100

    Shanghai

    70

    Childcare Availability

    70/ 10071

    Childcare Costs

    38/ 10049

    School Holidays

    70/ 10072

    Extracurricular Activities

    80/ 10080

    Family Housing

    75/ 10079

    Practical Considerations

    Milan

    75
    / 100

    Shanghai

    76

    In practical considerations, Shanghai takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Shanghai has a solid advantage in transportation costs (74 vs 62).

    Shanghai stands out for ev infrastructure, emergency numbers, gas station density, though package import and vehicle costs could be improved. Milan performs well in emergency numbers and gas station density despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Milan

    62
    / 100

    Shanghai

    74

    Fuel Prices

    48/ 10062

    Gas Station Density

    85/ 10089

    EV Infrastructure

    62/ 10093

    Vehicle Costs

    50/ 10053

    Vehicle Maintenance

    65/ 10072

    Special Services

    Milan

    79
    / 100

    Shanghai

    79

    Moving Services

    80/ 10080

    Storage Facilities

    75/ 10074

    Translation Services

    80/ 10086

    Legal Services

    80/ 10077

    Accounting Services

    78/ 10076

    Communication

    Milan

    78
    / 100

    Shanghai

    73

    Postal Reliability

    72/ 10069

    Package Import

    68/ 10052

    Language Learning

    85/ 10088

    International Calling

    85/ 10081

    Emergency Services

    Milan

    84
    / 100

    Shanghai

    79

    Emergency Response

    80/ 10080

    Emergency Healthcare

    82/ 10081

    Emergency Numbers

    95/ 10090

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    78/ 10064

    Specific to Your Profile

    Milan

    76
    / 100

    Shanghai

    67

    In specific to your profile, Milan takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Milan has a solid advantage in personal circumstances (71 vs 58).

    Milan stands out for cafรฉ laptop culture, video call quality, coworking day passes, though language skills and citizenship advantages could be improved. Shanghai performs well in tech ecosystem and hobby availability despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Milan

    84
    / 100

    Shanghai

    81

    Time Zone Alignment

    80/ 10076

    Coworking Day Passes

    85/ 10083

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    90/ 10080

    Video Call Quality

    90/ 10079

    Tech Ecosystem

    75/ 10086

    Personal Circumstances

    Milan

    71
    / 100

    Shanghai

    58

    Citizenship Advantages

    55/ 10035

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    60/ 10040

    Industry Presence

    80/ 10082

    Language Skills

    40/ 10037

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    80/ 10061

    Dietary Requirements

    85/ 10083

    Hobby Availability

    85/ 10084

    Pet Import Rules

    85/ 10039

    The Verdict: Milan or Shanghai?

    With an overall score of 73.14/100 versus 72.74/100, Milan leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Milan excels in quality of life, cultural & social life, professional & career. Shanghai leads in economic factors, infrastructure & connectivity, housing & living spaces.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Milan vs Shanghai Live