Cost of Living in Rome
Italy
Comfortable budget (single)
$3,605/month
Range $2,277–$3,605/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Rome?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Rome for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$7
pint at pub
Lunch
$19
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$450
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$100
monthly pass
Gym
$48
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,708–$2,656 | ↑ +8% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $901–$1,423 | ↑ +8% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $71–$138 | ↑ +8% |
| Internet & Mobile | $28–$47 | ↑ +7% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $361–$541 | ↑ +8% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $47–$85 | ↑ +6% |
| Coffee | $4–$6 | ↑ +25% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $90–$109 | ↑ +8% |
| Gym membership | $33–$62 | ↑ +8% |
| Cinema ticket | $13–$17 | ↑ +7% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Rome — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,708–$2,656/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$15,070
Buy outside (per m²)
$8,290
Price-to-rent ratio
26×
Avg mortgage rate
4.1%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Rome center at ~$15,070/m² with a 25y loan at 4.1% would cost roughly $4,823/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Rome. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $1,950 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $2,700 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $2,480 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $2,050 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $2,150 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Rome.
Utilize the monthly ATAC pass for unlimited access to Rome's buses, trams, and metro, especially convenient for commuting across zones like Trastevere or Prati.
Shop at local markets like Mercato di Testaccio or supermarket chains like Conad or Carrefour for fresh produce and daily essentials to save on grocery costs.
Explore less touristy neighborhoods like Garbatella or Pigneto for authentic Roman trattorias and aperitivo spots at more local prices.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,277–$3,605/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Couple
$3,605–$5,503/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Family
$5,218–$8,064/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Rome Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,135–$3,320/mo
Rome Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,879–$2,922/mo
Rome Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,366–$2,125/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • History
- • Food
- • Climate
❌ Cons
- • Bureaucracy
- • Transit delays
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Similar cities
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.