Approximately 5.37 million foreign citizens live in Italy, with Lombardy having the most, according to the latest statistics, revealed by Statista in 2025. So, the numbers do not lie. Italy emerges as the best destination in Europe to live in, not just for its lifestyle but also for its low cost of living. So, if you are planning to move to Italy but do not know where to start, it is best practice to start with the cost of living in Italy. Accordingly, the basic cost of living in Italy for a single person is around €885.8, while for a family of four it is around € 3,165.4, excluding rent.
While the average cost of living in Italy can depend on lifestyle, the latest data show that living in Italy is 11.9% cheaper than in the US and 20-30% cheaper than in other Western European countries. That’s why the number of expats in Italy is increasing day by day as people nowadays prefer to live comfortably with the best quality of life.
Is Italy Expensive to Live in 2026?
Compared with other Western European countries, many Italian cities are affordable to live in and offer a high quality of life at a moderate cost. So, when we look at the average cost of living in Italy per month, we realize it is one of the things many people find hard to come by these days. While living expenses in Italy vary by city, a single person can expect to spend around €1,300-€2,500, and a family of four around €3,200-€4,800.
Also, consider the distinction between the cities depending on your expectations:
- Milan, Rome, Florence: expensive, international, better job, and network access
- Bologna, Turin, Verona, Padua: urban but often better value
- Naples, Palermo, Bari, Catania: lower costs, different lifestyle trade-offs
- Small towns, countryside: cheaper rent, but car dependency and fewer services
Additionally, Get Golden Visa’s investor queries also highlight that almost one in five are from Italy for lifestyle relocation, replacing Spain. Therefore, Italy has become the go-to choice for many considering relocation, not only for now but also for their future planning as of 2026.
This is not a coincidence. Italy offers the most eligible residency options combined with an affordable Italian lifestyle, making it appealing to many. People considering moving to Italy today are attracted to its affordable cost of living, quality of life, and future opportunities.
How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Italy?
To live comfortably, a single person might expect to spend approximately €2,000-€2,700 per month in a major Northern city (including rent) and €1,600-€2,300 per month in a mid-sized Southern city. For a family of four, these figures could range from €3,800-€4,800 per month in main Northern urban hubs to €3,200-€4,000 in cheaper Southern regions or smaller cities.
Housing Costs in Italy
One of the first considerations before you move to Italy is, of course, housing costs. Now let’s look for homes for Sale in Italy and apartments for rent in Italy to live affordably and safely.
1. Homes for Sale in Italy
To find the best property for you and your family, you must first consider your lifestyle preferences and your budget. If you are looking for a safe and well-connected neighborhood, prices start around 2,592 EUR/m² in the major cities, while you can find the most affordable properties in Abruzzo, Calabria, and Molise.
Below, you can find the average prices:
| City | Average Price (€/m²) |
|---|---|
| Milan | 5,191 – 5,551 |
| Florence | 4,531 |
| Bologna | 3,717 |
| Rome | 3,404 |
| Naples | 2,825 |
| Turin | 1,990 |
| Bari | 1,950 – 2,100 |
| Genoa | 1,491 |
| Palermo | 1,412 |
| Catania | 1,226 |
2. Apartments for Rent in Italy
If you do not have the budget to buy a house in Italy, you can consider renting one. The rental price is around €729.84 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, while it drops to €567.10 outside the city center.
If you are looking for a 3-bedroom apartment for your family, you can expect to spend around €1,271.77 per month in the city center, and €936.06 outside the city center.
| City | Average Monthly Rent (70m²) | Typical Range (Center vs. Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | €1,631 | €1,400 – €2,200 |
| Florence | €1,561 | €1,200 – €2,000 |
| Rome | €1,379 | €1,100 – €1,800 |
| Bologna | €1,211 | €1,000 – €1,500 |
| Naples | €1,036 | €850 – €1,400 |
| Torino | €826 | €700 – €1,100 |
| Bari | €805 | €650 – €1,000 |
| Genoa | €756 | €600 – €950 |
| Palermo | €665 | €500 – €850 |
| Catania | €630 | €450 – €800 |
After deciding on the property you want to rent out, renting in Italy is usually simple and can be handled in a few basic steps. Initially, you must obtain a codice fiscale, i.e., a tax number in Italy. After you get it, you must prepare your documents. During this process, your landlord may ask for references, a deposit of 2-3 months, and sometimes several months upfront if you do not have an Italian work contract. Once you agree on the apartment, you sign a rental contract, pay the deposit and initial fees, and ensure the contract is officially registered.
Before moving in, check what is included in the rent, especially utilities and condominium fees, as these can add a few hundred euros per month to your actual housing cost.
Utilities Costs: Hidden Problem
While housing is affordable in Italy, utilities are among the most important factors to consider, as the country faces a hidden cost problem: heating, electricity, old buildings, and poor insulation.
Winter bills in northern cities like Milan or Turin can become significantly higher because heating is essential for several months, especially in older buildings with poor insulation. Additionally, many apartments in Rome, Florence, and Milan were built decades ago and often have thin windows, damp walls, and inefficient energy systems. Therefore, they lose heat in winter and stay hot in summer.
Gas heating is still very common across Italy, and tenants usually pay for it separately. A single person might spend around €80-€150 per month on utilities in summer, but winter costs can easily rise to €200-€350, depending on apartment size, heating usage, and building condition.
| Utility Type | Average Monthly Cost (€) | Notes & Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity Costs & Gas | €120 – €160 | Includes heating, cooking, and lighting. Varies by season. |
| Water | €15 – €25 | Often billed bi-monthly or quarterly, this is the monthly average. |
| Garbage Tax (TARI) | €15 – €30 | Depends on the city and apartment size. Usually paid annually. |
| Home Internet (Fiber/ADSL) | €25 – €35 | Unlimited fiber broadband packages. |
| Mobile Phone Plan | €10 – €15 | Standard plans with 50GB+ data. |
| TOTAL (Monthly) | €185 – €265 | General average for a typical household. |
Transportation
In terms of transportation, many expats often ask whether they can realistically live without a car. There is no straightforward answer to this question. In major cities like Milan, Rome, Bologna, and Turin, public transport, trains, and walkability are sufficient for daily life, but in smaller towns, rural areas, and coastal regions, you may need a car due to limited public transport.
The average cost of public transport in Italy:
| Service Type | Average Cost (€) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single Journey Ticket | €1.50 – €2.50 | Valid for 75-100 mins (Rome: €1.50, Milan: €2.20). |
| Monthly Pass | €35 – €50 | Unlimited city travel (Rome: €35, Milan: €39, Turin: €38). |
| Annual Pass | €250 – €350 | Best value for residents and daily commuters. |
| High-Speed Train | €40 – €90 | One-way (e.g., Milan-Rome). Prices drop with early booking. |
However, owning a car often means dealing with fuel prices, which as among the highest in Europe. Additionally, be prepared for paid parking, highway tolls, routine maintenance, annual road taxes, and fines for restricted traffic zones.
| Expense Item | Avg. Monthly Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Fuel (Petrol/Diesel) | €120 – €200 |
| Insurance | €40 – €70 |
| Car Property Tax (Bollo) | €10 – €20 |
| Maintenance & Service | €30 – €50 |
| Parking & Tolls | €20 – €100 |
| TOTAL (Monthly) | €220 – €440 |
As a result, many newcomers underestimate these combined expenses. However, if you think realistically, owning a car in Italy can easily add several hundred euros per month to your living costs, especially if you drive regularly in larger cities.
Healthcare
In Italy, you can access public healthcare, but it depends on your residency status, so the experience is very different for EU citizens, non-EU residents, retirees, students, and digital nomads.
EU citizens can usually access public healthcare temporarily with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while non-EU residents typically gain access after obtaining a residence permit and registering with Italy’s national healthcare system (SSN).
At the same time, you can opt for private health insurance to pay out of pocket for doctor visits, prescriptions, or private clinics. The typical healthcare costs include:
| Service Type | Avg. Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Specialist Visit (Private) | €80 – €150 |
| Dental Checkup & Cleaning | €60 – €100 |
| Private Health Insurance | €1,200 – €3,000 |
| MRI / CT Scan (Private) | €200 – €500 |
| Emergency Room (ER) | Free |
Food
Thanks to the “la dolce vita” philosophy, Italy is best known for its good food and excellent cuisine. So, can you really find affordable food prices here? A typical monthly grocery budget for a couple is between €350 and €500, while dining out costs around €150 to €400 per person.
Nevertheless, the amount you spend on food actually depends on the lifestyle you choose. If you live like any Italian, you can live affordably while shopping at local markets, buying seasonal produce, and cooking at home.
Additionally, you can still dine out affordably; a coffee and pastry at a local café may cost only a few euros, a simple lunch around €10-€15, and dinner at a neighborhood trattoria, €15–€30 per person. However, you should be aware that tourist areas in big cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice can easily double those prices.
Below you will find the typical grocery list for an Italian citizen and dining out costs.
| Item | Quantity | Avg. Price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Bread | 1 kg | €2.50 – €4.00 |
| Milk (Fresh) | 1 L | €1.20 – €1.80 |
| Eggs | 12 pack | €2.80 – €3.50 |
| Pasta | 500g | €0.80 – €2.50 |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 1 L | €7.00 – €12.00 |
| Parmigiano Reggiano | 1 kg | €18.00 – €25.00 |
| Chicken Breast | 1 kg | €9.00 – €14.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | 750ml | €5.00 – €10.00 |
| Meal / Item | Avg. Cost (€) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso (at the bar) | €1.10 – €1.50 | The price increases if you sit at a table. |
| Cappuccino & Pastry | €2.50 – €4.00 | The classic Italian breakfast. |
| Pizza Margherita | €7.00 – €10.00 | Standard sit-down pizzeria price. |
| Dinner at a Trattoria | €25 – €40 | Per person (Starter, Main, Wine). |
| Aperitivo | €8 – €15 | Drink + buffet or snacks (Happy Hour). |
| Coperto (Cover Charge) | €1.50 – €3.00 | Standard fee per person for table service. |
Residency and Taxes in Italy
Italy offers several residency options, depending on your situation. These mainly include the Elective Residence Visa for retirees and passive income holders, the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, and the Italy Golden Visa for investors.
However, holding a residency visa, in other words, permesso di soggiorno, does not directly entitle you to be a tax resident. To be considered as tax resident, you must spend more than 183 days in Italy per year. The annual income tax rates:
| Annual Income Bracket | Tax Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Up to €28,000 | 23% |
| €28,001 – €50,000 | 33% (Reduced from 35% in 2026) |
| Over €50,000 | 43% |
Additionally, Italy continues to offer attractive regimes for new residents, such as the 7% flat tax for retirees retiring in Italy‘s southern regions and specific exemptions for “expatriate” workers. There is also an annual lump-sum tax of around €300,000 for HNWIs in 2026 for new applicants.
Monthly Budget by Lifestyle in Italy: North vs South?
Many expats considering living in Italy often ask this question: Which one should I choose: Northern or Southern Italy? Well, the South Italy is always known for its affordability, but it often comes with a trade-off. So, the real question here is not about the price, but about what you get for lower costs.
In the north, cities like Milan and Bologna are more expensive to rent and for daily living. In return, you gain far stronger job markets, better-paid opportunities, more reliable public transport, greater availability of international schools, and, most importantly, locals speak English.
In the south, cities like Naples or regions such as Sicily and Calabria offer significantly lower rent and cheaper daily expenses, sometimes cutting housing costs by 30-50% compared to the north.
However, the trade-offs are real: job opportunities are more limited and often lower-paid, and English is less widely spoken outside the tourism sector, so you have to speak Italian language. Additionally, public transport is less reliable, and car ownership is much more common. International schools and expat infrastructure exist, but are far more limited.
Cost of Living in Italy vs. the US
Americans are among the top groups relocating to Italy, often driven by lifestyle change, remote work opportunities, retirement planning, or a search for a slower pace of life. In fact, Get Golden Visa’s American Retirement Exodus Report highlighted that Italy has become the fourth destination Americans move to.
When they arrive, one of the first comparisons they make is the cost of living in Italy versus the United States. Below is the main comparison table, which shows that living in Italy is generally 20% to 35% cheaper than in the United States. Parallel to that, a monthly budget of €2,500 in Italy provides a high quality of life that would likely require $5,000-$6,000 in a comparable US city. Moreover, when housing and healthcare are factored in, one can save money up to 50%.
| Category | Italy (Average) | USA (Average) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-Bed, City Center) | €900 – €1,400 | $1,800 – $3,000 | The USA is ~100% more expensive |
| Monthly Groceries | €400 | $600 | The USA is ~50% more expensive |
| Dinner for Two (Mid-range) | €50 | $80 | The USA is ~60% more expensive |
| Utilities (85m² Apt) | €220 | $200 | Italy is ~10% more expensive |
| Health Insurance (Monthly) | €100 – €250 | $400 – $800 | The USA is ~300% more expensive |
| Gasoline (per Liter) | ~€2.00 | ~$0.95 | Italy is ~110% more expensive |
| Internet (Unlimited) | €30 | $70 | The USA is ~130% more expensive |
| Cinema Ticket | €9 | $15 | The USA is ~65% more expensive |
