Rome vs Milan
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~15% 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
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Milan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $1,798 | $372 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $1,262 | $262 |
| Groceries | $329 | $372 | $43 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $21 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $42 | $5 |
| Utilities | $211 | $239 | $28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $1,887/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $2,766/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $3,425/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Milan | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,759/mo | +$259 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,346/mo | +$346 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,519/mo | +$519 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Milan for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 15% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs Milan's 57 (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 Rome costs $1,426/month versus $1,798/month in Milan — 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 Rome ($329/mo) vs Milan ($372/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $21 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.