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Rome · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Italy · Europe

Cost of Living in Rome, Italy
2026 Expat Guide

below NYC cost levels 6% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Planning a move to Rome? With a CoL index of 82.1 (NYC = 100), this Italy city is considered a moderately priced destination. Budget ~$410/month for central housing and ~$8 per meal when dining out.

With a population of 2.3 million, Rome is a major city in Italy.

Monthly Budget: $660–$1,166/month  ·  CoL Index: 82.1 (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇮🇹 Italy Pop. 2.3M Capital Updated April 2026
CoL Index
82.1
NYC = 100
Rent Index
75.2
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$410
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
N/A
net/month
Cheap Meal
$8
restaurant
Groceries
$259
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Rome 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
82.1
Rent Index
75.2
Cheap Meal USD
$8
Monthly Groceries
$259
Monthly Transport
$74
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL Index82.1NYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent Index75.2Avg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$410Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$266Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$8Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$259Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$74Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Rome's cost of living index of 82.1 places it 18% below New York City's baseline, and 75% above the global average (approx. index 47).

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
N/A

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Italy

Avg net salary
N/A
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$410
Internet speed
80 Mbps
Safety index
8.4
HDI
0.906
Life expectancy
82.2 yrs
Purchasing power
64.7

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$410Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$266Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$410Italy (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$8Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$223-course
Monthly groceries (single)$259Single person estimate
Country food basketN/AItaly (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$74Public transport avg.

City Insight

Rome's CoL Index of 82.1 places it close to the NYC baseline — a familiar cost environment for North American and Western European professionals.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for Italy
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in Italy for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Planning a move to Rome?

Get our Expat Budget Calculator — personalised monthly cost estimate for your lifestyle and city.

Monthly Budget Estimates

Rome · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$660Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$1,1661-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,983Private apt, regular travel

Monthly Budget Calculator

Estimate your personal monthly spend in Rome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rome cost of living

Is Rome cheap to live in?
Rome has a CoL Index of 82.1, placing it in line with mid-tier Western cities. It is neither cheap nor expensive by global standards. Budget $985–$1,478/month for a comfortable expat lifestyle.
What is the average rent in Rome?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Rome costs approximately $410/month, while outside the city centre it averages $266/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Rome?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Rome requires approximately $1,166/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $660/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $1,983+/month.
Is Rome, the capital, more expensive than other cities in Italy?
As the capital of Italy, Rome tends to command a premium over smaller regional cities. Its CoL Index of 82.1 (NYC=100) reflects the concentration of government, business, and international institutions that typically drive up housing and service costs. Secondary cities in Italy are often 20–40% cheaper for rent.
What is the average salary in Rome?
Salary data for Rome is not yet available in our dataset. For national averages, see the Italy country profile. International job boards and local recruiters are the best source for current benchmarks.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.