From the canals of Venice to the ruins of Rome, via the unique landscapes of Tuscany, Italy attracts many expatriates. But what is the cost of living in Italy? If you’re thinking of moving there, Foyer Global Health has put together a comprehensive guide to all the expenses associated with living in Italy.
Overview of the average cost of living in Italy in 2024
As both a member of the European Union and the eurozone, the official currency in Italy is the euro. The average monthly cost of living in Italy is €1,450 for a single person and €2,750 for a family of four. These budgets cover accommodation, food, monthly expenses and transport.
| Services | Prices |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary | €2,700 |
| Price of renting a flat in the city centre | €750 |
| Price of buying a flat in the city centre | €3,700 / m2 |
| Petrol (1L) | 1,8€ |
| Mobile package (calls + 10 GB data) | 7€ à 15€ |
| A cappuccino | 1,60€ |
| Meal for two in a restaurant | 60€ |
Cost of living in Italy: north VS south
According to Istat (Italy’s national statistics institute), the cost of living is higher in the north of Italy than in the south. This difference is mainly due to the fact that the north is home to major economic centres (industrial and commercial activities) such as Milan, Turin and Bologna. This translates into higher incomes, greater purchasing power and, consequently, higher prices.
| Region | Monthly cost of living for a family (4 people) |
|---|---|
| North | €2,965 |
| Centre | €2,950 |
| South | €2,230 |
This price difference is noticeable at various levels:
Cost of healthcare in Italy
Italy’s healthcare system offers universal coverage, providing both public and private options, with quality care accessible to residents. Expats often opt for international health insurance to ensure comprehensive coverage, particularly for services outside the public system.
| Region | Average monthly cost for a family (4 people) |
|---|---|
| North | €122 |
| Centre | €135 |
| South | €99 |
Telecommunication costs in Italy
The main telecommunications providers in Italy are TIM (Telecom Italia), Vodafone, and Wind Tre. TIM is particularly dominant, offering extensive coverage and a wide range of services across the country.
| Region | Average monthly cost for a family (4 people) |
|---|---|
| North | €80 |
| Centre | €80 |
| South | €60 |
Outings (restaurants, hotels, etc.):
| Region | Average monthly cost for a family (4 people) |
|---|---|
| North | €200 |
| Centre | €160 |
| South | €85 |
However, salaries in the north of Italy are on average 14% higher than in the south.
Budget for accommodation in Italy
Here are the average prices of accommodation in Italy:
Rental prices in Italy
- For a one-bedroom flat in the city centre, the rent varies between €500 and €1,400, depending on the city.
- For a three-bedroom flat, expect to pay between €800 and €2,800 on average.
Buying property in Italy
- The property price per m2 in the city centre is between €2,000 and €8,300.
- Outside the centre, prices are generally between €1,500 and €4,200 per m2.
Comparison of accommodation prices in different Italian cities
The budget needed for accommodation in Italy can vary considerably from one city to another. To give you a clearer idea, here’s a comparison of property prices in different cities:
| Type of accommodation | Bologna | Florence | Milan | Rome | Turin | Palerme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat in the city centre | €1,000 | €980 | €1,390 | €1,100 | €700 | €600 |
| Price per m2 in the city centre | €4,300 | €5,400 | €8,300 | €6,600 | €3,600 | €2,000 |
Energy costs in Italy
- Electricity per kWh: €0.410
- Gas per kWh: €0.136
Food prices in Italy
Shopping is the main item of expenditure in Italy. Hardly surprising, given that gastronomy occupies a central place in the country! If you’re thinking of moving to Italy, here’s how much you should budget for basic foodstuffs:
| Type of food | Average price in Italy |
| Bread (500 g) | €1.98 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | €3.38 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | €10.50 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €17 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €2.80 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €1.55 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.60 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.80 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1.45 |
| Water(1,5 L) | €0.43 |
Transport in Italy
- Train / TGV: Italy’s rail network links the main cities together. For example, for a Trenitalia TGV journey from Milan to Bologna, expect a starting price of €28.
- –Bus: a bus ticket in Italy costs an average of €1.50.
- Metro: many Italian cities have metro and tram lines. The price of a single ticket is around €2.20.
- Taxi: for taxi journeys, expect a basic fare of around €5, with an additional cost of €1.50 per kilometre.
- Car: if you prefer to drive, petrol costs an average of €1.80 per litre. For toll motorways, expect to pay an average of €0.07 per kilometre.
Healthcare costs in Italy
A consultation with a general practitioner in Italy costs €55 on average. However, medical fees vary depending on the medical establishment and the town where it is located. To give you an example, here are the prices charged by a private medical clinic in Rome:
| Medical services | Average price |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a paediatrician | 180€ |
| Cardiology visit with echocardiography | 220€ |
| Consultation with a gynaecologist | 180€ |
| Ultrasound | 80€ |
| Screening test | 130€ |
The Italian healthcare system ensures that both natives and expatriates are entitled to free universal cover. However, many expatriates choose to take out international health insurance to benefit from shorter waiting times and 100% cover, including dental and eye care.
Education in Italy
In Italy, a child can attend a private international primary school for annual fees ranging from €5,000 to €17,000 on average. For a Franco-Italian education, parents can also opt for a French-speaking school. In Milan, here are the tuition fees for the Lyceum Stendhal for the year 2024-2025 (per child):
- Enrolment: €1,500
- Nursery: €5,040
- Elementary: €5,200
- Collège: €6,300
- Lycée: €7,130
Telecommunications services in Italy
For a mobile package in Italy, expect to pay between €7 and €14, and up to €35 on average for an internet subscription. Ho.mobile, the Italian brand of operator Vodafone, offers a 200GB mobile subscription in 5G, with unlimited calls and texts, for €9.99 a month. The brand also offers 300 GB on a 4G network at up to 60 Mbps for €13.99.
Leisure and activities in Italy
Italy is a country where it’s impossible to get bored. Here are the prices of some must-do leisure activities:
- Going to the Leonardo Interactive Museum: €7.90
- Mirabilandia theme park: €29.90 online and €44.90 on site
- Group excursion to Naples: from €140 per day per person
- Italian lessons and cookery classes (to learn the language in a fun way!): around €160 per week
- Going to the cinema: around €9 per ticket.
- Take out a gym membership: €48 on average.
- Going to a private beach in Italy: €15.
Cost of living in Italy compared with France
The cost of living in Italy is 12% lower than in France, including rent. While the monthly budget for one person is estimated at €1,450 in Italy, in France it is €1,630. The main difference is in the cost of shopping, which is up to 18% higher in France.
Here are a few examples:
- Chicken fillets (1 kg): €10.50 in Italy compared with €12.60 in France
- Meat (1 kg): €17 in Italy compared with €18.80 in France
- Tomato (1 kg): €1.8 in Italy compared with €2 in France
- Potato (1 kg): €1.6 in Italy compared with €2 in France
- Imported beer: €2 in Italy compared with €2.75 in France.
However, purchasing power in Italy is 20% lower than in France.
Cost of living in Italy compared with Austria
Living in Italy is 21% cheaper than in Austria. Excluding rent, the average monthly budget for one person in Italy is €860, compared with €1,070 in Austria. All items of expenditure are higher in Austria, but the annual salary is significantly higher:
- €51,800 in Austria
- €32,450 in Italy