PRICES IN ITALY
Italy’s cost of living changes markedly between regions. Milan, Florence, Bologna and other northern or tourist cities usually require a larger housing budget, while smaller southern cities can be less expensive. The final monthly total depends more on rent and the chosen city than on a single supermarket basket.
Anyone considering Italy as a relocation destination should compare full monthly spending with income after tax. The current salary level in Italy is only one side of the calculation: rent, transport, utilities and household size decide how much remains.
AT A GLANCE
- A one-bedroom apartment averages €721 in a city centre and €566 outside it.
- Utilities for an 85 m² apartment average about €202 per month.
- A local public-transport ticket costs about €1.70; a monthly pass averages €38.70.
- Milan’s cost-of-living-plus-rent index is 56.7, compared with 34.9 in Palermo.
CONTENTS
PRICES IN ITALY IN 2026
Product prices in Italy
The figures below are fresh nationwide Numbeo averages, updated on 4 October 2026. Seasonal produce, local markets and the distance from tourist centres can make an individual shopping basket cheaper or more expensive than the country average.
| Product | Price |
| Milk (1 litre) | €1.43 |
| Fresh white bread (500 g) | €1.91 |
| White rice (1 kg) | €2.62 |
| Eggs (12) | €3.72 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | €15.39 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | €11.16 |
| Beef (1 kg) | €18.12 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2.29 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.90 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | €2.36 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €2.89 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.74 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €1.68 |
| Lettuce (one head) | €1.37 |
| Water (1.5-litre bottle) | €0.47 |
| Wine, mid-range bottle | €7.00 |
| Local beer (0.5-litre bottle) | €1.57 |
| Imported beer (0.33-litre bottle) | €2.12 |
| Cigarettes, Marlboro (pack of 20) | €6.00 |
Prices of goods, services and housing
Housing is normally the largest recurring cost. Living in Italy in Milan, Rome or a smaller southern city produces very different monthly totals, even for people with the same income.
| Goods or service | Price |
| Meal in an inexpensive restaurant | €18.00 |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | €70.00 |
| Cappuccino | €1.77 |
| Public transport, one-way ticket | €1.70 |
| Monthly public-transport pass | €38.70 |
| Taxi starting fare | €5.00 |
| Petrol, 1 litre | €1.84 |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartment, monthly | €202.32 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | €10.40 |
| Home internet, monthly | €27.19 |
| Fitness-club membership, monthly | €47.80 |
| Cinema ticket | €9.50 |
| Private preschool, monthly per child | €494.18 |
| One-bedroom apartment in a city centre, monthly | €720.72 |
| One-bedroom apartment outside a city centre, monthly | €565.57 |
| Three-bedroom apartment in a city centre, monthly | €1,263.13 |
| Three-bedroom apartment outside a city centre, monthly | €934.01 |
IMPORTANT
Utility costs can differ widely between northern and southern Italy, and between older and energy-efficient homes. Confirm which charges are included in the advertised rent before signing a contract.
Personal care and household purchases
Personal-care items are shown separately because they do not form part of Numbeo’s standard basket. The amounts are ordinary retail and service ranges, not fixed tariffs.
| Item | Price |
| Standard men’s haircut | about €21.00 |
| Toothpaste, mass-market brand | about €1.49 |
| Shampoo, mass-market brand, 250 ml | €2.50–4.50 |
| Shower gel, 200–300 ml | €2.00–4.00 |
| Toilet paper, four rolls | about €1.77 |
A realistic monthly budget
A realistic single-person budget excluding rent is around €850–1,000 per month. Adding a one-bedroom apartment outside a city centre produces a planning range of roughly €1,450–1,750. Milan, Rome, Bologna and heavily visited cities can require more.
The first month can also include a deposit, moving costs and household purchases. A relocation savings plan helps convert those separate costs into a practical starting amount.
Why north and south produce different budgets
Italy’s most important cost-of-living feature is not a single national price level but the regional divide. Northern cities often provide more jobs and higher pay, but their rents can absorb the difference. Smaller southern cities may offer cheaper housing but a narrower labour market.
| City | Cost of living index | Rent index | Cost of living + rent |
| Milan | 72.9 | 38.0 | 56.7 |
| Bologna | 65.0 | 25.8 | 46.8 |
| Rome | 58.9 | 28.8 | 44.9 |
| Palermo | 53.1 | 13.9 | 34.9 |
Costs by city and country comparison
Choosing among the best cities to live in Italy means comparing local jobs, rent, commuting and the type of lifestyle expected after arrival.
| Destination | Broad comparison with Italy | What to check |
| Spain | Comparable regional differences | Rent in the chosen city |
| France | Generally higher costs | Paris versus regional cities |
| Portugal | Lower outside Lisbon and Porto | Income together with rent |
| Germany | Higher costs for many services | Net income after tax |
Comparing salary, rent and potential savings through country comparisons is more useful than comparing one shopping basket in isolation.
What changed in prices during the last year
Istat released provisional consumer-price data for August 2026 on 31 July 2026. Inflation should be checked alongside local rent and energy costs, because those expenses can move differently from the national CPI for a specific household.
Numbeo’s country data were updated on 4 October 2026, providing fresh averages for food, utilities, transport and rent. A relocation budget should still include a reserve for the deposit, seasonal energy consumption and the gap between a national average and a new rental contract in the intended city.
Sources
- Numbeo — Cost of Living in Italy, updated 4 October 2026.
- Istat — consumer prices and provisional CPI data for August 2026.
- Italian retail-market price ranges for personal-care items.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does one person need per month in Italy?
A practical estimate is €1,450–1,750 per month with a one-bedroom apartment outside a city centre. Milan, Rome and tourist cities can require more.
Which part of Italy is cheaper to live in?
Smaller southern cities are often cheaper than northern business centres and major tourist locations. Employment opportunities, transport and services should be considered alongside rent.
What has the greatest effect on an Italian budget?
Housing is usually the largest variable. The difference in rent between regions can matter more than the difference in food prices.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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