🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,632 in Heraklion versus $1,932 in Split.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,620 in Heraklion versus $2,939 in Split.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,608 in Heraklion versus $3,945 in Split.
🌍Living in Heraklion costs roughly 15% less than in Split, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Heraklion18% above, Split40% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.12€13.04
$17.17€14.81
-11.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.6€50.6
$77.9€67.1
-24.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.44€9.00
$11.75€10.13
-11.15%
Cappuccino
$4.06€3.50
$2.84€2.45
42.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57€2.21
$4.19€3.62
-38.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81€0.70
$3.31€2.86
-75.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.66€4.88
$5.07€4.37
11.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.38€4.64
$4.90€4.23
9.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.87€1.61
$1.37€1.18
36.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.50€1.29
$2.20€1.90
-31.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.70€2.33
$3.91€3.37
-30.95%
Eggs
$4.69€4.05
$4.30€3.71
9.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.43€14.17
$14.59€12.58
12.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.95€9.45
$9.56€8.24
14.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.40
$14.90€12.85
4.23%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32€2.00
$2.22€1.91
4.50%
Banana(1kg)
$2.12€1.83
$1.85€1.60
14.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46€1.26
$1.89€1.63
-22.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.04€1.76
$2.77€2.39
-26.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24€1.07
$1.66€1.43
-25.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.29€1.12
$1.25€1.08
3.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97€0.84
$1.34€1.16
-27.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73€0.63
$1.31€1.13
-44.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.28€4.56
$6.05€5.21
-12.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72€6.66
$9.21€7.95
-16.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.79
$1.78€1.53
16.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.39€2.06
25.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Heraklion
Split
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.49€1.28
$1.55€1.34
-3.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$70.9€61.2
$40.59€35.00
74.77%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.60€3.97
$3.96€3.41
16.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.15€0.99
$2.13€1.84
-46.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.44€9.87
$30.91€26.65
-62.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.28€1.97
$1.90€1.64
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K€25.5K
$29.3K€25.3K
0.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K€22.6K
$25.2K€21.8K
3.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$202€174
$220€190
-8.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.14€26.86
$20.76€17.90
50.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.42€34.85
$41.95€36.17
-3.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.9€44.75
$63.2€54.5
-17.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.48€34.91
$14.15€12.20
186.08%
Cinema Ticket
$9.27€7.99
$9.26€7.98
0.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$423€364
$640€552
-33.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,250€3,665
$12.4K€10.7K
-65.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.3€72.7
$97.2€83.8
-13.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.67€38.52
$41.08€35.42
8.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.5€73.7
$117€101
-26.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141€122
$100€86.6
40.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Heraklion
Split
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$648€559
$1,020€880
-36.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507€437
$757€652
-33.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,182€1,019
$2,003€1,727
-40.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,009€870
$1,330€1,147
-24.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,003€3,452
$7,364€6,350
-45.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,928€2,524
$5,159€4,448
-43.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Heraklion
Split
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,171€1,010
$1,694€1,461
-30.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.44
3.44
29.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Heraklion: September 8, 2026
Last update for Split: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $648 in Heraklion and $1,020 in Split. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Split pays 45% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $59.0 in Heraklion vs $78.0 in Split for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $305 vs $309 per month, with Heraklion cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Heraklion vs Split: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Split cheaper than Heraklion?
Heraklion is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 18% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Heraklion or Split?
On paper, salaries run 45% lower in Split. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Heraklion and Split?
Rent for a central apartment: $648 in Heraklion versus $1,020 in Split. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $423 in Heraklion versus $640 in Split. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Heraklion and in Split?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Split. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Heraklion or in Split?
At $1,632 in Heraklion versus $1,932 in Split, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Heraklion but tight or insufficient in Split. The gap between the two cities makes Heraklion the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Heraklion or Split more family-friendly?
For families, Heraklion is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Split, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Heraklion or Split?
Safety-wise, Heraklion and Split are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Heraklion gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in Split. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.