It is increasingly common for people to seek a better quality of life in Europe, and Italy is one of the most popular countries for those who enjoy cultural programs, natural beauties and good cuisine. If you are one of those people who want to live in the country, check out this article, because here we are going to present a list with the most expensive cities in italy, important information about them, their cost of living and average salary. So you can check if it is worth living in one of them.
What are the most expensive cities in Italy?
If you're thinking about living in Italy, I don't even need to say how important planning is, especially financial. To assemble this plan, the important point is to research the cost of living in Italy, as it can vary greatly between cities. See our ranking of the 7 Italian cities with the highest cost of living:
- Milan;
- Pomegranate;
- Venice;
- Bergamo;
- Varese;
- Brescia;
- Genoa.
Observation: the ranking is based on information on the Numbeo website and other research sources on the cost of living in Italian cities. The survey was conducted in June 2022.
Learn more about each one ahead.
1. Milan, the most expensive city in Italy
Milan is in first place in the ranking of the most expensive cities in Italy to live in. The capital of Lombardy has the second largest and most populous metropolitan area in Italy. The city has numerous tourist attractions, such as the Duomo, a cathedral that is a timeless symbol of the city, the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, the Last Supper, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, among others, which proves that Milan has a lot of culture and art and , also for this reason, the city is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Milan is the fashion and design capital of the world and is well known for its sophisticated restaurants. In addition, the city is the financial heart of Italy, offers a high quality of life, good job opportunities and efficient public services, also occupying the first position of the best cities in Italy to live. Furthermore, it is considered one of the richest in the European Union.
These facts make the cost of living in Milan quite high.
Cost of living in Milan
See, below, the average cost of some essential items in Milan.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €39 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €158,88 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €27,82 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €1.086,06 |
Average salary in Milan
According to research done in June 2021, the average monthly take-home salary in Milan (after tax) is €1.672,61.
2. Roma
Rome could not be left out of the ranking of the most expensive cities in Italy. She occupies the second position. The city is the Italian capital and famous for the Vatican. In addition, Rome is the scene of several sights and wonders of the world heritage, which makes the destination very popular and one of the most visited in the world!
In addition to a good quality of life, the city offers public services, such as security and education, of good quality and at low cost. Mainly for these reasons, if you want to live in Rome, you should know that the cost of living in the region is high.
Cost of living in Rome
To get an idea of the cost of living in Rome, check the prices of some items.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €35 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €183,87 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €30,77 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €966,30 |
Average salary in Rome
The average monthly net wage in Rome (after tax) is €1.448,39.
3. Venice
The most romantic city in the world and also one of the most beautiful places in the world, Venice is also one of the most expensive cities in Italy. Venice is considered a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), due to its historical, artistic and architectural legacy. In addition, the city offers an excellent quality of life for its residents.
With several tourist attractions, including the famous gondola, Venice is expensive because it is a group of islands, which access is by boat. The cost of living in the city is even higher when you want to live close to the busy Piazza San Marco, the main tourist spot in Venice. Therefore, the city comes in third place on our list of the most expensive cities in Italy.
Cost of living in Venice
If you intend to live in Venice, it is important to know the values of essential items. See some of them:
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €13 |
| monthly transport | €37 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €233,08 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €29,17 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €835,71 |
Average salary in Venice
The average monthly take-home salary in Venice (after tax) is €1.671,43.
4. Bergamo
Located in northern Italy, Bergamo is a fairytale city, unforgettable for anyone who has the opportunity to visit it. And, for those who like to feel as if they were living in medieval times, it is worth visiting – or living – in the old town and walking through the cobbled streets. With a high quality of life, Bergamo is in fourth place on the list of the most expensive cities in Italy.
Cost of living in Bergamo
See, below, how much the main essential items cost to live in Bergamo.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €40 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €157,82 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €29,43 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €612,50 |
Average salary in Bergamo
The average monthly net wage in Bergamo (after tax) is €1.476,04.
If you are thinking of living in Bergamo, it is important to study the city's scenario after a pandemic year.
5. Varese
Varese is located in the Lombardy region, close to Milan. For this reason alone, Varese is already expensive, as it is possible to easily access the most expensive city in this ranking. It is a picturesque city, with few inhabitants and with many mountains and lakes around it, which offers a lot of quality of life in Italy.
Varese is known for its historic landmarks, including the basilica, a palace and a castle.
Cost of living in Varese
Check some prices for essential items in the city of Varese.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €35 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €202,50 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €27,50 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €592,86 |
Average salary in Varese
The average monthly net salary in Varese (after tax) is €1.521,43.
6. Brescia
Another fairytale city and home to ancient monasteries and chapels, Brescia is one of Italy's northernmost cities. It has a new and efficient subway line, the best and most used means of transport to reach the city center. Three large squares are located there, being great tourist spots: Piazza della Loggia, Piazza Vittoria and Piazza del Duomo (or Piazza Paolo VI).
Those who live in Brescia can enjoy a charming city, with many historical and natural beauties, a high employment rate, in addition to other benefits, such as high purchasing power, for example. Therefore, it is one of the most expensive cities in Italy.
Cost of living in Brescia
Now, see how much some basic services cost in Brescia.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €35 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €160 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €29,11 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €491,25 |
Average salary in Brescia
In Brescia, a worker earns on average a net monthly wage (after tax) of €1.455.
7. Genoa
To finish our ranking of the most expensive cities in Italy, we have Genoa, a beautiful port city, located on the northwest coast of Italy, with a lush landscape and desired by thousands of people around the world. As the city is on the coast of Italy and is very popular with nature lovers, the cost of living in the region is really high.
Cost of living in Genoa
Find out how much, on average, some essential services cost when living in Genoa.
| products / services | Price |
| Meal in a budget restaurant | €15 |
| monthly transport | €46 |
| Basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage) for an apartment of 85m2 | €135,46 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | €30,63 |
| Rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | €580,59 |
Average salary in Genoa
In Genoa, the average net monthly salary (after tax) of a worker is €1.308.
Is it worth living in one of the most expensive cities in Italy?
Yes! The most expensive cities in Italy offer several benefits to their residents, mainly a good quality of life. In addition, average salaries generally follow the cost of living, and it is possible to live well in these regions, depending on your standard of living.
