Rental prices and budget planning by city in Italy

Rents in Italy can vary considerably depending on where you live. Milan and Rome are generally the two most expensive cities in the country, requiring a large budget for student accommodation. For example, in Milan, the center of fashion and business, monthly rent for a single student room is around €400–800 ; in the capital, Rome, expect to pay a similar €400–800 . These prices can be even higher in central locations or for newer, more upscale accommodations. Florence is also a touristy and historic city, so rents are high, but still somewhat lower than in Milan and Rome—student rooms can be found for around €350–700 per month.

In contrast, cities like Bologna and Turin, known as student cities, offer more affordable rents. While an average student room in Bologna costs around €300–600 , Turin also offers relatively affordable options. Bologna, in particular, is an established university city with a large student community and comparatively lower rents. The cost of living in smaller cities with high student populations, such as Padua, Trento, and Pavia, is also lower than in larger metropolises.

The situation is more favorable for students in the cities of southern Italy: in southern cities like Naples or Bari , for example, rent for a single room can be as little as €250–500 per month . Palermo and Catania in Sicily are among the largest cities with the lowest living costs. Accommodation, food, and transportation are quite affordable in these areas compared to cities in the north. In short, while cities like Milan and Rome will put a greater strain on your budget, Bologna, Turin, and other southern cities offer a more affordable living environment for Erasmus students.

Average rental prices in Italy by city (estimated ranges from 2025)

💶 Prices are for 1+1 (one-bedroom) apartments in the city center. The further you move from the center, the lower the prices can be, with prices dropping by 20–40%.

City	Average rent for 1+1 in the center	Average rent for 1+1 apartments outside the center
Milan	1,200 – 1,800 €	900 – 1,300 €
Rome	1,000 – 1,500 €	800 – 1,100 €
Florence	900 – 1,400 €	700 – 1,000 €
Bologna	850 – 1,300 €	650 – 950 €
Turin	700 – 1,100 €	500 – 800 €
Venetian	1,000 – 1,400 €	750 – 1,050 €
Naples	700 – 1,000 €	500 – 750 €
At least	600 – 900 €	450 – 700 €
Palermo	500 – 800 €	400 – 600 €

Expenses other than rent

Average monthly expenses to be considered other than rent:

• Membership fees and accommodation costs: 50 – 150 €

• Electricity, water, gas, internet: 150 – 250 €

• Ticket (within the city): 35 – 55 € per year for students

• Grocery shopping (individual): €250 – €350 per month

• Dining/Going out: €200 – €400

Saving tips

• Living in remote locations → rent reductions of up to 30%.

• Solutions with roommates (stanza singola/doppia) → rent can drop to 300-600 €.

• Purchasing a ticket → is significantly cheaper than a day ticket.

• Find houses where utilities are included (tutto incluso) → makes budget control easier.

• Smaller cities (like Padua, Lecce, Siena) → cheaper and quieter.

Note: Housing availability in Italy varies from city to city. While public/university dormitories are generally cheaper than private rentals, capacity is limited and demand is very high in larger cities. While even dorm fees are high in Milan and Rome, cheaper dorm rooms can be found in cities like Bologna or Palermo . However, Erasmus students and early applicants are generally given priority. Therefore, it's important to check and apply early to see if there are dorm spaces in your destination city.