Country topic
Cost of living in Italy
Prices overall in Italy are about 0.69 of United States prices at market exchange rates (World Bank price level index, 2025). This is an economy-wide average, not a budget. We found no dated 2026 prices for groceries, internet, leisure or health cover, so those costs are unknown, and personal tax and social contributions are excluded. [V1] Four Turin adverts seen in October 2026 asked €600 to €850 a month for furnished flats of about 45 to 55 m². The top figure is the dearest advert's text (€850 plus €50 of costs; its price field shows €800). Other adverts on the same site were for single rooms or student lets, so this is a spread of four adverts, not an average, and availability is unconfirmed. [V2] [V3] [V4] [V5]
What we found
The research, with its sources.
Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.
- Prices overall in Italy are about 0.69 of United States prices at market exchange rates (World Bank price level index, 2025). This is an economy-wide average, not a budget. We found no dated 2026 prices for groceries, internet, leisure or health cover, so those costs are unknown, and personal tax and social contributions are excluded. [V1]
- Four Turin adverts seen in October 2026 asked €600 to €850 a month for furnished flats of about 45 to 55 m². The top figure is the dearest advert's text (€850 plus €50 of costs; its price field shows €800). Other adverts on the same site were for single rooms or student lets, so this is a spread of four adverts, not an average, and availability is unconfirmed. [V2] [V3] [V4] [V5]
- Outside Turin, we found one advert each. A 65 m² furnished loft in Bologna asked €890 a month with a 3+2 contract, and a 40 m² furnished flat in Bari asked €750 a month. Neither is an average for its city, and the Bari advert dates from August 2026 and may be gone. [V6] [V7]
- One Turin advert states building costs including heating of about €150 a month. Other adverts show annual expenses (spese annue) of €318 in Bari, €450 in Bologna and €600 in Turin without saying what they cover, so ask before you compare rents. [V4] [V7] [V6] [V2]
- GTT's ordinary Formula U urban pass in Turin costs €38 a month, €310 for 12 months and €12 a week, and includes second-class Trenitalia travel between listed urban stations. The page shows no date, and fares in other Italian cities are unknown here. [V8]
- The Revenue Agency's guide describes the 4+4 free-rent contract and transitional contracts of up to 18 months, and caps a deposit at three months' rent (€1,950 on a €650 rent). The Bologna advert also asks for a bank guarantee of six months' rent, and the Bari advert is reserved for people with verified payslips, which a new arrival may not have. [V9] [V6] [V7]
- The digital nomad visa needs health insurance for the whole stay: US consulates and Wellington ask for at least €30,000 of cover. Some foreigners without compulsory enrolment can join the national health service voluntarily: a January 2024 notice from Bologna's local health authority (archived copy) gives a minimum of €2,000 a year for most categories. The WHO service coverage index for Italy is 82 of 100 (2023). Insurance prices are unknown. [V10] [V11] [V12] [V13]
- The European Central Bank's reference rates on 9 October 2026 were US$1.1206, C$1.5942, A$1.6052 and NZ$1.9961 per euro. Euro prices in this guide move with those rates, and fees charged in another currency (such as New Zealand dollars at the Wellington embassy's quarterly rate) can differ. [V14] [V15]
The Fernshore Index
How the Index grades the cost of living.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
41 of 100Mixed
Price level 0.690 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Italy. Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
More on Italy.
Topics
More about Italy.
Questions about Cost of living in Italy.
How much does it cost to live in Italy?
Prices overall are about 0.69 of United States prices at market exchange rates (World Bank, 2025), an average rather than a budget. Four Turin adverts asked €600 to €850 a month for a furnished flat. We found no dated figures for groceries, internet or health cover, so those are unknown.
How much is rent in Turin?
Four adverts seen in October 2026 asked €600 to €850 a month for furnished flats of about 45 to 55 m². The top figure is one advert's text (€850 plus €50 of costs; its price field shows €800). That is a spread of four adverts, not an average, and availability is unconfirmed.
What deposit and fees should you expect when renting?
The Revenue Agency's guide caps a deposit at three months' rent (€1,950 on a €650 rent). One Bologna advert also asks a bank guarantee of six months' rent, and one Bari advert is reserved for people with verified payslips. Adverts show annual expenses of €318 to €600 without saying what they cover.
Do you need health insurance to live in Italy?
The digital nomad visa needs health insurance for the whole stay: US consulates and Wellington ask for at least €30,000 of cover. Voluntary national health enrolment starts at €2,000 a year in a 2024 Bologna notice, if you are eligible. Insurance prices are unknown.
How much is public transport in Turin?
GTT's ordinary Formula U urban pass costs €38 a month, €310 for 12 months and €12 a week, and includes second-class Trenitalia travel between listed urban stations. The page shows no date, and fares in other Italian cities are unknown here.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [C1] Price level index (GDP), Italy, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 68.96 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [V1] Price level index (GDP), Italy, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V2] Two-room flat, via Modena (Borgo Rossini), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61278962. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V3] Two-room flat, via Modena (Regio Parco, Borgo Rossini), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61278969. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V4] Two-room flat, corso Moncalieri (Precollina), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61278033. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V5] Two-room flat, via Accademia Albertina (centre), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61224980. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V6] Loft, via Andrea Costa (Saragozza, Bologna), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61266743. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V7] Furnished flat, via Dalmazia (Madonnella, Bari), Tecnocasa (private property agency network, not official), advert 61260171. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V8] Urban network: Formula U and reduced fares, GTT (Torino public transport operator). Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V9] Guida affitti: rental contracts guide, Agenzia delle Entrate (Emilia-Romagna regional edition), PDF. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V10] Digital nomad / remote worker visa (Los Angeles consulate), Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V11] Digital nomad / remote worker visa checklist (Wellington embassy), Embassy of Italy in Wellington (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), PDF. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V12] Voluntary enrolment in the national health service for foreigners (archived copy), Azienda USL di Bologna (local health authority), Internet Archive copy of 6 April 2025. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V13] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V14] Euro reference rates, 9 October 2026, European Central Bank. Checked 11 October 2026.
- [V15] Cost for a visa and how to pay (Wellington embassy), Embassy of Italy in Wellington (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 11 October 2026.