How were the city-states of northern and central Italy different from the rest of Europe?

The political system of Central and Northern Italy was characterized by the city states great fragmentation and spirit of autonomy. This situation constituted  an insuperable obstacle to any prospect of national unification and a serious barrier even to the formation of smaller state organizations such as the regional states into which Italy later consolidated.

This factor indeed stood them out.

They were urban, not feudal, and were based around commerce.

Options:

They were urban, not feudal, and were based around commerce.

They had much higher standards of living and better access to health care for all.

They were subject to repeated outbreaks of epidemics, which kept populations small.

They were subject to less economic influence from the Catholic Church.

Explanation:  The early city-states of Italy include Venice and the Duchy of Naples. They were urban, not feudal, and were based around commerce. They had independence from the Roman Empire and established trade routes to the rest of Europe such as France and Germany. While the city-states of Italy flourished due to their independence and trade, the rest of Europe was still feudal, with power resting solely in Kings and the Church.  

These city-states were an early example of a capitalist economy.