Cost of living in Italy in 2024

Italy is among the top three leading economies in Europe, and foreigners make up around 9% of the country’s population. Many take advantage of the Italian thriving job market and come there for work to be able to support their families back home, while others, like digital nomads, settle down there to appreciate its world-famous culture, history, fashion, and cuisine. But how expensive is it to live in Italy? In this article we talk about the average cost of living in Italy, breaking down basic expenses and looking at prices.

General overview

Depending on the region, the cost of living in Italy can vary greatly. For example, in Lombardy, home to the largest expat community in Italy, cost of living is higher than the national average. In contrast, in Sicily, it is somewhat lower. Naturally, prices in Italy's major cities are higher than in rural areas. On average, the cost of living in Italy per month is around €2,250 for an individual and €4,250 for a family of four.

So, is Italy expensive? It depends. On a global scale, it is among the pricier destinations, but within Western Europe, it is cheaper than nearly three-quarters of other countries. Therefore, if you are looking for options to live in Europe while saving some money, the lower cost of living in Italy might be a big advantage. Let us now have a closer look at prices in Italy.

Rent

How expensive is it to live in Italy as an expat? As in any other country, much of this question is defined by the rent one needs to pay. The amount varies greatly by location and the type of property. Unsurprisingly, properties in large cities like Rome, Milan, or Bologna are the most expensive to rent, while in Turin, Naples, and towns in the Southern regions, one can find more budget-friendly places.

For an average furnished apartment of 85 sq.m in a city, expect to pay around €1,900 per month in a fancy neighbourhood and €1,200 in a non-central location. Considering that there is a robust and inexpensive public transport system, staying out of prime areas might dramatically reduce your cost of living in Italy and enable you to support your loved ones back home.

Average monthly rent prices in Italy

Utilities

On top of rent, utility bills for water, electricity, gas, and so on, also add to the overall cost of living in Italy. Gas and especially electricity are rather expensive there, but water is cheaper than in many other European countries. For this reason, Italian flats are rarely equipped with dishwashers or dryers. Thankfully, a consumer in Italy can choose between providers to find an optimal package of services and save money. For instance, some charge by consumption, while others offer a fixed monthly fee depending on the property size, the number of residents, etc. In this case, how expensive it is to live in Italy depends on how thorough your research of different providers is.

Still, when estimating an average cost of living in Italy, a family of two living in an 85 sq.m flat should expect to pay around €200 a month in utility bills, and one person residing in a studio around €130.

You can settle your utility bills online or at your nearest kiosk (tabacchi).

Also, if renting a flat, the cost to live in Italy will most probably include the waste tax (Tassa sui rifiuti, TARI), which is about €320 a year on average, and everyday expenses, which would vary depending on the type of property.

Prices in Italy for the standard broadband connection are close to €30 per month.

Grocery shopping

Food is one of the pillars of Italian society but also a major contributor to the average cost of living in Italy; luckily, there are plenty of shopping options to fill up your fridge. Outdoor markets are still very popular, especially if you prefer to buy local produce or want unique cheese, meat products, or fish.

For more 'modern' and convenient shopping you can visit a supermarket. There are thousands of chain stores in Italy, the largest of which are Conad (over 3,000 stores), Crai, and Coop (around 2,000 stores each). Among the large international budget chains are Lidl, Carrefour, and Aldi. If you are on a tight budget, there are discount chains like DPiù, Tuodi, or MD to help you manage your cost of living in Italy. With no time for shopping, you can always order online via a dedicated supermarket app like Conad's or through a delivery service such as Deliveroo. As in many other countries, this format took off during the pandemic and has been a go-to option for many ever since.

Supermarket prices in Italy

Remember that in Italy, there are no free plastic bags to pack your items in at the checkout, so make sure you have a reusable bag at hand when shopping. Moneywise, it might seem like nothing for your cost of living in Italy per month, but with time it might turn into a substantial savings.

Eating out

So, how much does it cost to live in Italy if you like eating out? A meal for one in a mid-range restaurant costs around €15-20, and for a three-course dinner for two people, be ready to pay between €45 and €100. A pint of beer is around €5, with imported beer being cheaper than the local one, but you can always opt for a ‘carafe’, or jug of inexpensive home wine. A famous Italian cappuccino is between €1.5 and €2 but remember that Italians consider it distasteful to drink cappuccino with any meal except breakfast.

Transportation

While a substantial part of the Italian population still prefers to move about in private cars, the excellent public transport system is gaining popularity, especially with rising fuel prices pushing up the average cost of living in Italy.

In urban areas, a single trip on public transport costs €1-2 depending on the city, and a day pass is around €7-8. For taxis, the starting fee ranges between €3 and €6, and the overall fare depends on distance and/or time, with an average fare per 1 km being €1.50. The car rental price would vary across regions and seasons. Still, the expectation is to pay around €30 per day for an economy vehicle.

Italy also has a well-developed railroad system, and tickets can be conveniently booked through various apps, such as Trenitalia or Italotreno. These apps suggest routes, ticket options, and special offers. You can also compare train ticket prices in Italy via dedicated web services such as The Trainline.

Multiple discount programmes, including for younger and older people as well as families, support those who strive to contain their cost of living in Italy. On the other hand, there are fines for violators. For example, if you buy an incorrect ticket, you must pay the difference and an €8 fine. And if you are caught without a ticket, you will be fined up to €50.

Healthcare

When it comes to taking care of your health, is Italy expensive? Absolutely not. Public healthcare in Italy is separated from the social security system and is funded through taxes. Therefore, employees do not pay contributions towards the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN). All residents can access SSN after registration and get basic medical services such as visits to a general practitioner and some specialists, emergency care and hospital treatments, vaccinations, and so on, free of charge. A co-payment is usual for prescriptions, diagnostics, laboratory tests, etc., but some groups (children, elderly, pregnant women) do not need to co-pay. SSN does not cover cosmetic, non-essential, and non-emergency treatments but can be included in a private insurance policy.

Many expats in Italy, with a higher cost of living or not, opt for private insurance to include additional medical services from private clinics, and the prices vary between €500 and €3,000 a year (but some employers might cover all or part of the amount). Private medical care is popular in Italy, and without insurance coverage, one can expect to pay around €50-120 for a consultation with a GP and nearly twice as much as a consultation with a specialist. The average fee for a dental checkup is between €100 and €150.

Childcare and education

Parents will wonder how much it costs to live in Italy with kids who need care and education. Children from 3 months to 3 years old are looked after at municipal and private daycare centres whose fees vary depending on the location, age of the child, types of services provided, and so on. Municipal centres are cheaper but difficult to get into due to high demand. So, if, as a parent, you are looking for a way to reduce your cost of living in Italy per month, make sure you arrange placement for your child well in advance.

Those between 3 and 6 years old usually attend nursery schools. Public scuola materna is free, but private kindergartens cost €100-500 monthly.

Secondary education also comprises state-run and private schools. The former offer education free of charge and are open to children of any nationality who legally reside in Italy. At the same time, fees at a private school may be well over €20,000 per year plus various administrative charges.

There is no free university education in Italy, and Italian students need to pay tuition fees at both public and private institutions, €900-€4,000 and €6,000-€20,000 per year respectively. Fees for international students are higher.

To sum up, the cost of living in Italy varies greatly depending on where you live, if you have a family, what your spending habits are, and so on. Still, Italy is cheaper than most destinations in Western Europe. As a working expat, you can save up some money while living there and be able to support your loved ones back home. Do it with Profee, the most beneficial, fastest, and most convenient money transfer service.