Rome vs Perth
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~13% 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
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Perth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $1,758 | $332 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $1,311 | $311 |
| Groceries | $329 | $412 | $83 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $22 | $4 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $97 | $60 |
| Utilities | $211 | $146 | +$65 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $1,930/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $2,743/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $3,419/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Perth | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,719/mo | +$219 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,292/mo | +$292 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,438/mo | +$438 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Perth for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 13% more affordable than Perth when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs Perth's 55.7 (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 $1,758/month in Perth — giving Rome a $332/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,984 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Perth ($412/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $22 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.