English If you’re planning to live in Italy in 2025, you’ve probably wondered what your monthly expenses might be. Of course, costs vary greatly depending on where you live, not just between the North and South, but more significantly based on the size of the town or city. In this article, we’ll give you a general idea of expenses, from housing and utilities to groceries and leisure.
If you’re still undecided about where to settle, we recommend checking out our Town Explorer tool, which allows you to filter and find the ideal city based on your personal needs and preferences.
Housing Costs in Italy
In 2025, the cost of living in Italy continues to vary significantly depending on the region, particularly when it comes to housing. On average, renting a 70m² apartment costs around €1,015 per month, though this can range from under €500 in regions like Molise to over €1,400 in Valle d’Aosta. Buying property also varies greatly: the national average stands at €1,815 per square meter, but prices soar above €3,000 in Trentino-Alto Adige and drop below €1,000 in Calabria.
Of course, keep in mind that these figures represent averages that blend prices in both small towns and large cities. If you’d like more specific options for towns that fit your budget, click here to get a clearer idea.
| Region | Avg. Rent €/m² | Monthly Rent (70m²) | Purchase €/m² | Purchase Price (70m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy (average) | €14.5 | €1,015 | €1,815 | €127,050 |
| Abruzzo | €8.6 | €602 | €1,183 | €82,810 |
| Basilicata | €6.9 | €483 | €1,133 | €79,310 |
| Calabria | €7.8 | €546 | €910 | €63,700 |
| Campania | €10.9 | €763 | €1,646 | €115,220 |
| Emilia-Romagna | €14.9 | €1,043 | €1,831 | €128,170 |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia | €11.0 | €770 | €1,446 | €101,220 |
| Lazio | €15.6 | €1,092 | €2,115 | €148,050 |
| Liguria | €12.4 | €868 | €2,467 | €172,690 |
| Lombardia | €19.7 | €1,379 | €2,212 | €154,840 |
| Marche | €9.3 | €651 | €1,479 | €103,530 |
| Molise | €6.6 | €462 | €916 | €64,120 |
| Piemonte | €10.2 | €714 | €1,264 | €88,480 |
| Puglia | €9.1 | €637 | €1,237 | €86,590 |
| Sardegna | €11.7 | €819 | €1,642 | €114,940 |
| Sicilia | €8.1 | €567 | €1,018 | €71,260 |
| Toscana | €17.9 | €1,253 | €2,361 | €165,270 |
| Trentino-Alto Adige | €15.0 | €1,050 | €3,137 | €219,590 |
| Umbria | €8.0 | €560 | €1,043 | €73,010 |
| Valle d’Aosta | €21.1 | €1,477 | €2,576 | €180,320 |
| Veneto | €12.4 | €868 | €1,760 | €123,200 |
Data elaborated from Idealista.it
Utility Costs
Electricity and gas are among the biggest ongoing expenses for households in Italy, with electricity prices among the highest in Europe, averaging around €0.14 per kWh. In particular, for 2025, electricity bills are expected to increase by more than 18%, according to a study by Facile.it.
On average, medium-sized families can anticipate paying about €180 per month for electricity. Gas bills, meanwhile, can exceed €600-700 per month during the coldest months, depending on the supplier. If you’re renting, make sure to check whether utilities are included or not.
Grocery Expenses
The average cost of groceries in Italy has seen a notable increase in 2025 compared to previous years. According to data compiled by Business Online, for a typical Italian family of four, monthly food expenses now average between €550 and €650, a rise of approximately 7.5% from 2024. This translates to a weekly grocery bill of around €150, whereas individuals living alone typically spend about €200 per month.
Of course, grocery costs can vary widely depending on location and whether you shop at big supermarkets or local markets, which can sometimes be a bit cheaper.
Transportation Costs
Transportation costs in Italy remain relatively affordable in 2025. In major cities like Milan, for example, a monthly public transport pass costs around €30, significantly lower than in cities like Paris, where it can exceed €80.
However, if you live in a smaller town or rural area where owning a car is more of a necessity, fuel costs will be a key part of your budget. As of now, the average price per liter is approximately €1.73 for petrol and €1.62 for diesel.
Healthcare Costs
If you’ve looked into Italy’s healthcare system, you probably know it’s mainly funded through taxes and mandatory contributions, so healthcare is free for all citizens. Besides being affordable, Italy’s system is considered one of the best worldwide, with a strong focus on prevention over treatment.
In the public system, many basic medical visits, like seeing a general practitioner or getting routine check-ups, are either free or require a small co-payment (called a “ticket”) that usually ranges around €30-40, depending on the region and type of service. More specialized visits may also have small fees, but overall costs remain low.
The main downside is that waiting lists can sometimes be long, lasting several months, unless your doctor marks your case as urgent. This often leads people to choose private healthcare, where a doctor’s visit typically costs around €150, depending on the specialty and location.
Educational Costs
Italy’s public education system is quite efficient, which is why it’s uncommon for families to choose private schooling for their children before university. So aside from textbooks, there are generally no significant costs involved.
If you’ve recently moved to Italy and prefer international education, there are various options both in the north and south. However, keep in mind that annual tuition fees typically start at around €7,000-8,000.
As for daycare, the average monthly cost varies but usually falls between €300 and €600, depending on the region and the type of facility.
Extra Expenses
Leisure expenses will, of course, vary depending on your lifestyle, but Italy remains relatively affordable.
Consider that a gym membership typically ranges between €30 and €70 per month, whereas going to the cinema costs about €9 per ticket.
Eating out is another area where Italy stands out. If you’ve already spent some time here, you probably noticed how affordable dining can be without sacrificing quality. In Italy, you can still find places where €15 gets you a full meal with a first and second course. On average, though, you can expect to spend about €25 per person for lunch or dinner, which typically includes a main course, water, and dessert.
Final Thoughts
This overview serves as a starting point to understand the monthly expenses you might face living in Italy in 2025. Actual costs can vary, and there are always many factors to consider. So, if you’re planning a move and want to explore these topics in more detail, we publish monthly guides and articles – click here to learn more.
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