Cost of Living in Italy

"That really depends... In Minturno, a couple who want to live simply, using the bus and train for transportation, $20,000/year would suffice," explained one expat living in Minturno.

"Cost of living has increased dramatically in the past 2 years, but petrol prices have dropped. Internet service is cheaper but phones are more expensive. Everything is a trade off. Italy is still a good value for our money," explained one expat living in Minturno.

"Living in Italy can be significantly more cost effective than in the United States. The cost of living in Italy is generally lower than in the United States, with consumer goods and groceries costing much less. Housing can be cheaper in certain areas, such as rural villages and small towns, while in the larger cities rental rates may be comparatively similar. In addition, transportation costs tend to be lower, both for public and private vehicles, and there is usually no need to pay for costly health insurance," said one expat in Italy.

"Our housing costs are higher here only because of the higher rate of electricity. Electricity is very expensive here. I don't know the average rate of housing here," explained one expat living in Bergamo.

"It really depends where you look. I bought a delightful old stone row house type of home, 4 bed, 2 bath with a large terrace and glorious view in a 500 yr old building for $54,000. It's definitely livable but could use upgrades. I also bought a penthouse 1 bedroom apt, tiny but with a great view and wrap around balcony on three sides one block outside of the old town in Vicenza with elevator and a garage parking spot for $110,000," said one expat in Italy.

"The average cost of housing in Italy varies depending on the size, location, and type of property; however, generally speaking, prices tend to be more expensive in cities such as Rome and Milan than in rural areas. Additionally, prices can vary significantly depending on whether one wishes to buy or rent," wrote a person living in Italy.

"Well, property taxes here are incredibly low. At least compared to my native California. Houses and even apartments can be very expensive here though. There are places here in Catanzaro, apartments, overlooking a parking lot asking over 400,000 EURO! We bought our beautiful property (just outside of Catanzaro and about 15 minutes to the Mediterranean sea) with a lot of land and producing orchards and rebuilt the home spending around 600,000Euro. However, going outside the city into a rural community, even 10km outside of town, you can pay half of that. Here, neighbours are an issue and there are many lawsuits when they cannot get things sorted out (especially in our area where there are many lawyers who are unemployed). We got lucky and have a large piece of property with no problems. Here, in the country you can get a good deal. If my property were in California, we would be paying well over 1,000,000 dollars easily! We enjoy our life in the country here and wich those thinking of coming here the same good fortune," explained one expat living in Catanzaro.

"The rental cost of a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Italy can vary drastically based on the city, size, and amenities, ranging from around 500 to 3,000 US dollars per month. A nice 2 bedroom apartment could range from around 700 up to 4,000 US dollars per month," said an expat in Italy.

"When renting a home in Italy, the typical appliances that come with the property include a refrigerator, stove, and clothes washer. Many homes also come equipped with air conditioning units and internet access. Some homes may also offer dishwashers, while others might provide access to a communal pool or gym. Additional amenities such as access to a shared garden or balcony may also be available," wrote one expat.