Italy🇮🇹
At a Glance
How Italy compares across key indices
Cost of Living
60 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
53/100
Healthcare
65/100
Quality of Life
159/200
Climate
90/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Italy
Cost of Living
60
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
19
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
62
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
63
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Catania
Cheapest$1,587/mo
Reggio Nell'emilia
$1,605/mo
Palermo
$1,691/mo
Bergamo
$1,737/mo
Rimini
$1,768/mo
Turin
$1,844/mo
Bari
$1,883/mo
Trieste
$1,887/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Italy — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
53/100
Crime Index
47/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
66/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
26 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 6,746 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Italy
Italy has 21 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,587 in Catania to $2,904 in Milan. Trieste leads on safety, scoring 72/100. Trieste ranks highest for quality of life at 169/200.
Catania
$1,587/mo
Trieste
72/100
Trieste
169/200
Bologna
76/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catania | $1,587 | 51/100 | — | — | — |
| Reggio Nell'emilia | $1,605 | — | — | — | — |
| Palermo | $1,691 | 54/100 | — | — | — |
| Bergamo | $1,737 | — | — | — | — |
| Rimini | $1,768 | — | — | — | — |
| Turin | $1,844 | 48/100 | 147/200 | 66/100 | 67 |
| Bari | $1,883 | 50/100 | — | — | — |
| Trieste | $1,887 | 72/100 | 169/200 | 65/100 | 45 |
| Cagliari | $1,936 | 64/100 | — | — | — |
| Genoa | $1,957 | 55/100 | 164/200 | 66/100 | 50 |
| Bolzano-Bozen | $2,008 | — | — | — | — |
| Treviso | $2,042 | — | — | — | — |
| Verona | $2,107 | — | — | — | — |
| Brescia | $2,116 | 50/100 | — | — | 75 |
| Padova | $2,118 | — | — | — | — |
| Naples | $2,161 | 38/100 | 118/200 | 59/100 | 78 |
| Bologna | $2,173 | 51/100 | 149/200 | 76/100 | 60 |
| Pisa | $2,293 | — | — | — | — |
| Rome | $2,330 | 53/100 | 150/200 | 65/100 | 48 |
| Florence | $2,376 | 58/100 | 157/200 | 67/100 | 43 |
| Milan | $2,904 | 46/100 | 124/200 | 70/100 | 68 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Italy
Healthcare Index
65/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 1,293 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Italy
Pollution Index
46/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 3,484 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Italy
Average One-Way Commute
32minutes
Average
Traffic Index
122
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
148
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
4.0kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 980 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Italy, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Italy?
Italy has a cost of living index of 60 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,587 in Catania and reach $2,904 in Milan.
What is the cheapest city in Italy for expats?
Catania is the most affordable city in Italy with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,587 for a single person including rent. Reggio Nell'emilia is the next most affordable at $1,605/mo.
Is Italy safe for expats?
Italy has a safety index of 53/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Trieste scores highest on safety at 72/100.
What is the best city in Italy for expats and digital nomads?
Trieste ranks highest for quality of life in Italy, scoring 169/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,887/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Catania offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,587/mo.
How good is healthcare in Italy?
Italy scores 65/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Italy cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Italy's cost of living is roughly 40% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 81% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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