Rome vs Miami
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~20% 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
Miami
United States
COL+Rent
60.5
Rent Index
48
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
77.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Miami | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $2,183 | $757 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $1,711 | $711 |
| Groceries | $329 | $435 | $106 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $23 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $76 | $39 |
| Utilities | $211 | $176 | +$35 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $2,360/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $3,215/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $3,974/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,867/mo | +$367 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,490/mo | +$490 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,735/mo | +$735 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Miami for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 20% more affordable than Miami when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs Miami's 60.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Rome costs $1,426/month versus $2,183/month in Miami — giving Rome a $757/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,084 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Miami ($435/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $23 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.