Cost of Living: Greece vs Italy
Greece is 21% cheaper than Italy overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Greece wins on affordability
Greece is roughly 21% cheaper than Italy on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $689 per month, or about $8,268 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Greece | Italy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $929 | $1,443 | Greece 36% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,379 | $2,068 | Greece 33% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,677 | $2,337 | Greece 28% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Greece | Italy |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $540 | $1,240 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $390 | $870 |
Groceries (monthly) | $315 | $305 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $20 | $17 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $34 | $38 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $190 | $230 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Greece and Italy to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Greece | Needed in Italy |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $31,972 | $40,675 |
| $75,000/yr | $47,957 | $61,012 |
| $100,000/yr | $63,943 | $81,350 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Greece
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Greece only.
Cost of Living in Italy
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Italy only.
Greece vs Italy Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Greece
Net take-home pay calculator for Greece.
Salary After Tax in Italy
Net take-home pay calculator for Italy.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Greece vs Italy
Is Greece cheaper than Italy?
Greece is 21% cheaper than Italy. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 36.0 for Greece vs 45.8 for Italy. In practical terms, a $2,068/month lifestyle in Italy can be matched for roughly $1,626/month in Greece.
What is the monthly budget difference between Greece and Italy?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,379 in Greece versus $2,068 in Italy — a difference of $689/month (33%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,677 vs $2,337.
How does rent compare in Greece vs Italy?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $540/month in Greece and $1,240/month in Italy. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $390 in Greece and $870 in Italy. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Greece to Italy?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Greece, you'd need roughly $95,417 net in Italy to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Italy to Greece on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $58,952 net in Greece. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $315 in Greece vs $305 in Italy. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $20 in Greece vs $17 in Italy. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.