Milan vs Rome
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~15% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $1,426 | +$372 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $1,000 | +$262 |
| Groceries | $372 | $329 | +$43 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $18 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $37 | +$5 |
| Utilities | $239 | $211 | +$28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $2,273/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $2,823/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,279/mo | -$221 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,705/mo | -$295 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,558/mo | -$442 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Rome for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 15% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Rome's 48.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Milan costs $1,798/month versus $1,426/month in Rome — giving Rome a $372/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,464 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Rome ($329/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $18 show Rome offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Rome offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,273 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.