Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Italy
Italy is among the leading economies in Europe, and foreigners make up around 9% of the country’s population5. It is an exciting option for South Africans looking to move to Europe. The thriving job market, rich history, renowned educational institutes, fashion, affordable but high standard of living and of course the food make it the perfect destination.
But how expensive is it to live in Italy? In this article we talk about the average cost of living in Italy, breaking down basic expenses and looking at prices. We also help you manage international transfers from Italy to South Africa using Wise at the mid-market exchange rate.
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Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
How expensive is Italy in comparison to South Africa
Their cuisine alone is enough reason to fall in love with Italy but the country has so much more to offer. But before you start packing your bags, it’s worth familiarising yourself with local living costs. The cost of living in Italy is higher than South Africa, but so are the salaries and quality of life. Your cost of living in Italy would depend mainly on where you choose to live, for example the cost of living in Milan is higher than the cost of living in southern Italy.
The currency in Italy
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency of the country and the entire European Union. This ensures hassle free travel between member states as you don’t need to exchange currencies for the trip. The Euro is one of the most powerful currencies in the world and is valued significantly higher than the Rand. You can check the latest Euro to Rand rate here using our free online currency converter.
Send money from Italy to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate with Wise
If you’re a South African expat living in Italy, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.
Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from Italy to South Africa.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Cost of living in Italy vs. South Africa
Currently, ranking 32nd on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, life in Italy is cheaper than in the UK and Sweden but more expensive than in Spain and Greece6. Consumer prices are 67.8% higher in Italy when compared to South Africa. For renting, be prepared to shell out 70% more7. Milan and Rome rank 49th and 59th respectively on Mercer’s cost of living index8. Let’s take a look at some major costs you need to account for while preparing for a move in cities like Milan, Rome, and Naples.
Rental costs in Italy
Milan and Rome are among the most expensive Italian cities, especially in terms of rent. As a matter of fact, Milan’s residents spend over 40% of their income on rental expenses. Turin, Palermo, and Naples on the other hand are the cheapest cities to live in in Italy9.
Average monthly rent in Milan
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Milan10 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,397.80 € (27,859.67 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 946.34 € (18,861.61 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 2,960.57 € (59,007.39 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 1,892.44 € (37,718.47 R) |
Average monthly rent in Rome
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Rome11 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,079.76 € (21,520.82 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 668.59 € (13,325.72 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 2,085.47 € (41,565.69 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 1,237.14 € (24,657.60 R) |
Average monthly rent in Naples
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Naples12 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 766.67 € (15,280.50 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 540.91 € (10,780.90 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,587.50 € (31,640.59 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 965.00 € (19,233.49 R) |
Cost of groceries in Italy
Italy is renowned for its use of fresh ingredients in its rich cuisine. Supermarkets, mini-markets, and outdoor markets are popular and are usually easily accessible. However, if you’re not ready to jump on public transport or drive around to explore your new city, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered. Conad, Coop, and Selex are the largest supermarket chains in the country.
Average grocery costs in Milan
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Milan10 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 2.23 € (44.35 R) |
| Milk | 6.09 € (121.43 R) |
| Eggs | 3.86 € (76.96 R) |
| Cheese | 7.10 € (141.54 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 5.31 € (105.92 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 7.00 € (139.52 R) |
Average grocery costs in Rome
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Rome11 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 1.57 € (31.20 R) |
| Milk | 5.90 € (117.56 R) |
| Eggs | 3.60 € (71.78 R) |
| Cheese | 5.84 € (116.44 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 4.71 € (93.80 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 3.50 € (69.76 R) |
Average grocery costs in Naples
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Naples12 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 1.36 € (27.12 R) |
| Milk | 6.71 € (133.82 R) |
| Eggs | 3.59 € (71.45 R) |
| Cheese | 5.67 € (113.01 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 4.10 € (81.77 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 5.00 € (99.66 R) |
Transport costs in Italy
Buses, subways, and streetcars offer vital ways of getting around cities, although the quality can vary greatly depending on the location. The cost of transport in the country has risen in the past few years but still remains largely affordable.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Milan10 | 2.20 € (43.85 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Milan10 | 39.00 € (777.31 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Rome11 | 1.50 € (29.90 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Rome11 | 35.00 € (697.59 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Naples12 | 1.35 € (26.91 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Naples12 | 35.00 € (697.59 R) |
Eating out in Italy
Dining out depends entirely on the type of restaurant you want—a slice of pizza costs €1, a glass of beer €1.50, and that can be a meal. You can eat well from €15 to €50 a person, depending on what and where you want to eat. Let’s take a look at the average costs in the cities we’ve been discussing.
Average meal costs in Milan
| Category | Milan10 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 20.00 € (398.62 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 80.00 € (1,594.49 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 10.00 € (199.31 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 1.96 € (39.03 R) |
Average meal costs in Rome
| Category | Rome11 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 15.00 € (298.97 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 60.00 € (1,195.86 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 10.00 € (199.31 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 1.46 € (29.02 R) |
Average meal costs in Naples
| Category | Naples12 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 15.00 € (298.97 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 60.00 € (1,195.86 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 8.00 € (159.45 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 1.84 € (36.60 R) |
Study costs in Italy
Italy is a very popular destination for international students due to its public education system, making it much more affordable than countries like the UK and USA. With more than 32,000 international students studying here, the country is an exciting choice for South Africans planning to move abroad for studies13. On average, tuition fees at public Italian universities range from €500 to €4,000 per year14.
Private universities and business schools charge a higher fee. For example, at the Università Bocconi in Milan, fees are around €13,000; and at Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore (also Milan), prices run as high as €16,000 per year14.
What is the average salary in Italy?
When it comes to earning a living in Italy, the market is a bit different compared to its European counterparts like Germany and France. While jobs in Rome and Milan tend to pay well, the average pay across the country tends to hover lower. We’ve put together a list of some common professions and their pay to help you understand how much you could make if you move there:
Average salary in Milan
| Designation | Average salary in Milan15 |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist | €80,649 |
| Software Engineer | €33,933 |
| Project Manager | €44,465 |
| Bank Teller | €24,995 |
| Data Analyst | €32,722 |
| Nurse | €56,814 |
What about healthcare costs in Italy?
Italy boasts of one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The country has state-funded universal health care and is free at the point of need for its citizens. The public system also completely covers legal foreign residents which means that if you move to Italy for work or education your healthcare will be covered by the system.
Primary care, screenings and inpatient care are free in most scenarios. What you need to partially pay for are visits to specialists and certain drugs. Those from low income households, along with pregnant women and some other categories, receive these things for free.
The public health system is, however, burdened with long wait times for procedures. In this case you can opt for private health insurance to access services faster but at a higher price. You can have either corporate (through your employer) or individual (self bought) private insurance. Corporate insurance sometimes covers the employee’s family as well. Listed below are some common healthcare expenses in the country16:
- Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes): €76
- Cold medicine for 6 days: €7
- Antibiotic prescription: €7
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Italy is an amazing, exciting place to live in. Just like life in South Africa., you’ll pay more to live in bigger cities and less to live in smaller towns, especially those in the southern region. From the food to the culture to fashion, life in Italy can be a fabulous experience for any expat, regardless of what country you call home.
One smart way to avoid paying excess bank fees for international money transfers is to use a Wise multi-currency account to send, spend, and receive money internationally4.
Sources:
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- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Foreigners in Italy
- Italy cost of living ranking
- Cost of living in South Africa vs Italy
- Mercer’s cost of living index
- Rent in Milan
- Cost of living in Milan
- Cost of living in Rome
- Cost of living in Naples
- International students in Italy
- Studying in Italy
- Salaries in Italy
- Healthcare in Italy
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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
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