Rome vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~33% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $2,503 | $1,077 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $1,960 | $960 |
| Groceries | $329 | $422 | $93 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $28 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $113 | $76 |
| Utilities | $211 | $258 | $47 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,250/mo | +$750 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,000/mo | +$1,000 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,500/mo | +$1,500 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 33% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs London's 72.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Rome costs $1,426/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Rome a $1,077/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,924 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $28 show Rome is the better value for dining out. 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.