Living the dream in Italy, savouring the exquisite cuisine, and basking in the stunning landscapes might seem out of reach for those on a budget. However, with some careful planning and smart choices, it’s possible to create your own dolce vita without breaking the bank. Have you ever wondered the cost of living in Italy?
We’ve been living in Italy for almost half a year (in Puglia, in the deep southern area of Salento). We did our homework in advance but all signs pointed to a much less expensive life than we experienced in downtown Toronto (Canada’s most expensive city). We weren’t completely wrong but have been surprised by some of the prices and high costs of some things (like a rental car or gas) which have skyrocketed since the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
If you are planning your dolce vita and want to know the cost of living in Italy, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post will explore all the expenses that will come out of your wallet when you live in Italy, from housing and transportation to food and entertainment, and share valuable tips on how to make the most of your money while experiencing the best of Italian life. So, how much does it cost to live in Italy? Read on to discover how much it’ll cost to live your dream life in Italy.
Cost of Living in Italy
Italy is a beautiful country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. I have a million things to say about Italy, but recently posted on the top ten things I love best about the country – including incredible (and as you’ll see relatively inexpensive food) and stunning (free) scenery. While there is a lot to offer, I do commonly hear people saying things like “living in Italy is so cheap” or “if I moved to Italy, I would save so much money”. There’s also been a surge of interest in Italy due to the famed 1 Euro homes which have drawn international attention from foreigners dreaming of a move to Italy on the cheap. If you are considering making the move, it is essential to understand just how much it costs to live there. In this section, we will discuss the cost of living in Italy and break it down into accommodation expenses, food and grocery costs, transportation fees, and healthcare expenses.
Accommodation Expenses
One of the most significant expenses you will have when living in Italy is accommodation costs. The cost of rent varies depending on the location, size, and quality of the apartment or house you choose. In major cities like Rome, Milan, or Florence, you can expect to pay higher rent prices. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in a city centre can cost around €800 – €1,500 per month. However, if you decide to live in smaller towns and cities, you can get a more affordable apartment for €500 – €800 per month. A price comparison by region is available here.
For an idea of what you can afford, these are three top rental sites we’ve found for renting or buying property in Italy: Idealista, Immobiliare.it and Subito.
Utility Costs
The rental rates in Puglia where we live are quite inexpensive, however, in any long-term rental situation you must factor in utility costs as these are typically excluded from a rental contract, unless it is a vacation rental and the landlord prefers an all-inclusive price (in which case expect to pay premium).
Utility costs will include electricity, gas, water and assuming you want to remain connected, wifi internet. Average costs for electricity are about €100 – €120 per month, gas €120 – €140 per month, water €15 – €60 per month and wifi internet is roughly €30 per month. There are competing companies for electricity (check out SOS Tariffe which can save you on your utility costs) and internet so you can certainly research better deals and decrease costs.
If there is anywhere in the world still embracing the good old telephone landline it would be Italy, if you wanted a landline, I’m sure it’s doable. But seriously, cell phone plans are THE BEST in Italy. Bring your own phone and a SIM with 100GB will cost you €10 per month rechargeable. We use WindTre and also get 300 Minutes Internationally!
Food and Grocery Costs
Italian cuisine is one of the world’s most famous and delicious, and you will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to food. The cost of food and groceries in Italy varies depending on where you shop and what you buy. If you are on a budget, you can save money by shopping at local markets and farmer’s stands rather than a more expensive grocery store. A weekly food budget for one person can range from €30 to €70, depending on your eating habits and preferences. See my chart below for some recon into grocery costs in Puglia so you can get a better estimate of what your grocery bills may set you back.
| Item | Euros | Canadian | American | British |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRODUCE | ||||
| 500g Cherry Tomatoes | €1.80 | $2.63 | $1.94 | £1.57 |
| Iceberg Lettuce | €1.00 | $1.46 | $1.08 | £0.87 |
| 1 Kg Eggplant | €1.30 | $1.90 | $1.40 | £1.13 |
| 1 Kg Zucchini | €1.80 | $2.63 | $1.94 | £1.57 |
| 1 Kg Potatoes | €3.40 | $4.96 | $3.67 | £2.96 |
| 500g Mushrooms | €1.80 | $2.63 | $1.94 | £1.57 |
| 1 Kg Oranges | €1.50 | $2.19 | $1.62 | £1.31 |
| 1 Kg Apples | €1.30 | $1.90 | $1.40 | £1.13 |
| 1 Kg Bananas | €1.29 | $1.88 | $1.39 | £1.12 |
| Bag of Lemons | €1.60 | $2.34 | $1.73 | £1.39 |
| 500g Strawberries | €2.00 | $2.92 | $2.16 | £1.74 |
| 500g Cherries | €3.90 | $5.69 | $4.21 | £3.39 |
| DAIRY | ||||
| 1 Litre of Milk | €1.00 | $1.46 | $1.08 | £0.87 |
| 500g Yogurt | €2.50 | $3.65 | $2.70 | £2.18 |
| 100g Fresh Mozzarella Cheese | €0.90 | $1.31 | $0.97 | £0.78 |
| 100g Local Cheese | €2.30 | $3.36 | $2.48 | £2.00 |
| 100g Parmigiano Cheese | €1.30 | $1.90 | $1.40 | £1.13 |
| 250g Butter | €2.40 | $3.50 | $2.59 | £2.09 |
| 12 Eggs | €3.00 | $4.38 | $3.24 | £2.61 |
| MEAT AND SEAFOOD | ||||
| 100g Prosciutto Crudo | €2.50 | $3.65 | $2.70 | £2.18 |
| 100g Prosciutto Cotto (ham) | €1.85 | $2.70 | $2.00 | £1.61 |
| 500g Chicken Breast | €4.00 | $5.84 | $4.32 | £3.48 |
| 180g Prepared Beef Hamburger | €2.20 | $3.21 | $2.38 | £1.91 |
| 500g Fresh Whole Squid | €4.95 | $7.23 | $5.35 | £4.31 |
| 500g Fresh Shrimp | €12.50 | $18.25 | $13.50 | £10.88 |
| 500g Fresh White Fish (Orata) | €5.50 | $8.03 | $5.94 | £4.79 |
| BEVERAGES | ||||
| 1.5L Bottle Water | €0.35 | $0.51 | $0.38 | £0.30 |
| 1.5L Bottle of Soda | €0.60 | $0.88 | $0.65 | £0.52 |
| 1L Orange Juice | €1.25 | $1.83 | $1.35 | £1.09 |
| 1L Soy/Almond/Oat/Rice Milk | €1.90 | $2.77 | $2.05 | £1.65 |
| 500g Ground Coffee (Espresso) | €3.90 | $5.69 | $4.21 | £3.39 |
| 20 Bags of Twining’s Tea | €3.70 | $5.40 | $4.00 | £3.22 |
| DRY GOODS | ||||
| 500g Package of Pasta | €0.90 | $1.31 | $0.97 | £0.78 |
| 500g Rice | €3.90 | $5.69 | $4.21 | £3.39 |
| 1L Olive Oil | €6.00 | $8.76 | $6.48 | £5.22 |
| 700g Tomato Sauce (Passata) | €0.90 | $1.31 | $0.97 | £0.78 |
| Box of Kellogg’s Special K Cereal | €2.30 | $3.36 | $2.48 | £2.00 |
| Loaf of Bread | €1.00 | $1.46 | $1.08 | £0.87 |
| SNACKS | ||||
| Bag of Chips | €1.25 | $1.83 | $1.35 | £1.09 |
| 750g Jar of Nutella | €5.30 | $7.74 | $5.72 | £4.61 |
| 500g Gelato | €3.50 | $5.11 | $3.78 | £3.05 |
| 100g Bar Lindt Dark Chocolate | €1.90 | $2.77 | $2.05 | £1.65 |
| 1Kg Peanuts in Shell | €5.00 | $7.30 | $5.40 | £4.35 |
| Bag of Cookies | €1.25 | $1.83 | $1.35 | £1.09 |
| ALCOHOL | ||||
| Bottle of Wine* | €5.00 | $7.30 | $5.40 | £4.35 |
| 6 Bottles Peroni Beer | €6.00 | $8.76 | $6.48 | £5.22 |
| 70cl/700ml Spirits (Gin, Rum, Vodka) | €12.00 | $17.52 | $12.96 | £10.44 |
*Note on vino: Like all the prices, there can be incredible variation depending on where you shop. I’d argue €5 for a bottle of wine at a grocery store gets you a decent bottle, but wine at an Enoteca or straight from the winery can vary dramatically in range. If you have no taste for wine, but want to drink it nonetheless, you’ll find €2 bottles too!
As for dining out, the cost of a meal and a glass of wine (of course) can range quite dramatically. If you are really looking to keep your expenses down but still want to enjoy dining out, it’s easy to scout out a decent restaurant – not catering to tourists where prices will be higher – for €15 – €30 per person. Where we live, for example, we can grab a quick meal of two delicious Neapolitan style pizzas with fresh ingredients and a half litre of house wine for less than €30 in total. Woah. A shared appetizer and two main courses (meat or fish dishes or a hearty pasta) plus wine is about double that amount.
Transportation Costs
Italy has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trains, trams, and subways (metros)…at least in major cities. The cost of transportation varies depending on the city and the mode of transportation you choose. For example, a single bus or metro ride in Rome costs €1.50, while a monthly pass costs €35. In Puglia, where there are no subways, you’ll rely upon trains and buses and a local train, town to town can range from €1 – €4 range. If you plan to travel frequently, you can save money by getting a monthly pass or purchasing a prepaid card.
In some regions, cars are essential to get around, unless you love trying to figure out where buses stop, deciphering a myriad of local transit options and walking in the heat. If you have a bicycle and travel when it’s cooler you can avoid public transit woes.
Car rental costs have risen, so you can expect € 900 – 1,200 for a monthly rental depending on whether it’s peak season. This is for manual transmission, expect to pay much more for an automatic (we took lessons before coming to Italy to be prepared to drive manual, but let’s just say it didn’t take). The best place to find a good price is not at the airport but try local rental places in cities offering longer-term options. Also, pay for the extra insurance, it’s worth it to reduce your risk. If you’re thinking, that’s nuts, I’ll just buy a car then! Ha ha, nope, not possible unless you are an Italian citizen or resident. Fuel costs for our compact vehicle are about €70 per tank at €1.70 per litre.
Healthcare Expenses
In Italy, healthcare is provided through a national health service, and it is available to all residents. The cost of healthcare depends on the type of service you need and your income level. If you are a legal resident or citizen, you can access healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost. If you are a non-resident, you’ll likely want a private health insurance plan. We purchased nomad insurance but there are a lot of options out there for expat insurance as well.
Planning your Italian vacation?
Factors Affecting Cost of Living and Cost Saving Tips
As you’ve likely gleaned, the cost of living in Italy varies depending on several factors, but geographic location and your lifestyle choices will have the greatest impact.
Geographic Location
The cost of living in Italy varies greatly depending on where you live. Major cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence are popular, but they can be expensive. If you are able to work in Italy, you’ll find the more expensive cities also have higher salaries, but if you are merely travelling or retiring in Italy and on on a budget, consider living in smaller cities or towns especially in less expensive areas like Abruzzo, Puglia, Calabria or Sicily. In smaller, less expensive cities, you’ll find everything from rent, groceries, utilities and restaurants can save you cash.
Lifestyle Choices
It goes without saying that your lifestyle choices can also have a significant impact on the cost of living in Italy. Dining at restaurants frequently, stopping for a nightly aperitivo at a trendy bar and shopping the latest Italian trend can add up quickly, just like at home.
If you’re on a budget, consider cooking at home and shopping at the weekly farmer’s market or local produce cart. Also, there are discount grocery stores which seem to have the same products and same quality at a fraction of the cost (e.g. MD Discount, Lidl, EuroSpin). Select less expensive restaurants (read reviews, there are a ton of local gems off the beaten path) and opt for the house wine (vini di casa) rather than a bottle. Finally, if you can stick to public transit or cycling, you’ll avoid one of the most costly expenses: a car, insurance and fuel.
When you get here, to really save cash, you can also comparison shop on one of many cost-saving websites: Kelkoo and TrovaPrezzi are popular.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Italy can be an affordable place to live and can save you money if you play your cards right. From housing to food, transportation to entertainment, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your own dolce vita on a budget. To make the most of your time in this beautiful country, it’s important to do your research, plan ahead, and be willing to embrace the Italian way of life. And with a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can live like a local without breaking the bank. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Italian adventure today!