Estimated Living Cost in Italy for International Students (2026)

Discover the estimated living cost in Italy for international students in 2026. Compare expenses by city, including rent, food, transport, utilities, and more.

Studying in Italy is more affordable than many other European countries, but your monthly expenses depend heavily on the city you choose. Cities like Milan and Rome are significantly more expensive than Bologna, Pisa, or Bari.

This guide provides realistic monthly living costs for international students in 2026, helping you create a budget before applying for your Italian student visa.

Average Monthly Living Cost in Italy

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost (€)
Accommodation	300–900
Food & Groceries	180–350
Transportation	25–60
Utilities	50–120
Internet & Mobile	20–40
Study Materials	20–60
Health Insurance	13–25
Personal Expenses	80–200
Entertainment	50–150
Total	750–1,800

Living Cost in Milan

Milan is Italy’s financial capital and one of Europe’s most expensive student cities.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	550–850
Private Apartment	900–1,500
Food	250–350
Transportation	22–39
Utilities	80–130
Internet & Mobile	25–40
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	80–180
Miscellaneous	100–200
Estimated Monthly Total	1,100–2,300

Living Cost in Rome

Rome offers countless universities, historical attractions, and excellent public transport.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	450–750
Private Apartment	800–1,300
Food	220–320
Transportation	35
Utilities	70–120
Internet & Mobile	25–40
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	70–150
Miscellaneous	80–180
Estimated Monthly Total	950–1,900

Living Cost in Bologna

Bologna is considered one of the best student cities in Europe.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	350–600
Private Apartment	650–1,000
Food	200–300
Transportation	30
Utilities	60–100
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	60–120
Miscellaneous	70–150
Estimated Monthly Total	800–1,500

Living Cost in Turin (Torino)

Turin provides excellent education with relatively affordable housing.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	320–550
Private Apartment	600–900
Food	190–290
Transportation	25–38
Utilities	60–100
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	50–120
Miscellaneous	70–140
Estimated Monthly Total	750–1,400

Living Cost in Florence

Florence is popular among international students studying arts, architecture, and humanities.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	400–650
Private Apartment	750–1,100
Food	220–320
Transportation	30
Utilities	60–110
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	60–130
Miscellaneous	80–150
Estimated Monthly Total	850–1,600

Living Cost in Pisa

Pisa remains one of Italy’s more affordable university cities.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	300–500
Private Apartment	550–850
Food	180–280
Transportation	25
Utilities	50–90
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	50–100
Miscellaneous	60–120
Estimated Monthly Total	700–1,300

Living Cost in Padua (Padova)

Padua is a favorite destination for international students because of its affordable lifestyle and prestigious university.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	300–500
Private Apartment	600–900
Food	180–280
Transportation	30
Utilities	60–90
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	50–120
Miscellaneous	60–120
Estimated Monthly Total	720–1,350

Living Cost in Naples (Napoli)

Naples offers one of the lowest living costs among major Italian cities.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	250–450
Private Apartment	500–800
Food	170–260
Transportation	25–35
Utilities	50–90
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	40–100
Miscellaneous	60–120
Estimated Monthly Total	650–1,250

Living Cost in Bari

Bari is one of the most budget-friendly cities for international students.

Expense	Cost (€)
Shared Apartment	250–400
Private Apartment	450–700
Food	170–250
Transportation	25–35
Utilities	50–80
Internet & Mobile	20–35
Health Insurance	13–25
Entertainment	40–100
Miscellaneous	50–100
Estimated Monthly Total	620–1,150

One-Time Arrival Costs

Expense	Estimated Cost (€)
Student Visa	50–120
Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)	100–170
University Enrollment Fees	0–500+ (depends on scholarship and income)
Security Deposit for Accommodation	500–2,000
Initial Household Items	150–500
SIM Card	10–30
Bedding & Kitchen Supplies	100–250

Health Insurance Costs

Insurance Type	Annual Cost (€)
Private Student Insurance	150–300
Italian National Health Service (SSN) Registration	700–900 (varies by eligibility and regulations)

Monthly Grocery Budget

Item	Average Cost (€)
Milk (1L)	1.5–2
Bread	2–4
Rice (1kg)	2–4
Chicken (1kg)	8–12
Eggs (12)	3–5
Apples (1kg)	2–3
Tomatoes (1kg)	2–4
Pasta (500g)	1–2
Water (1.5L)	0.5–1

Transportation Costs

Transport Type	Cost (€)
Monthly Student Pass	25–40
Single Bus Ticket	1.5–2.5
Regional Train	5–40
High-Speed Train	20–80
Bicycle Rental	15–40/month

Entertainment Costs

Activity	Average Cost (€)
Cinema Ticket	8–12
Gym Membership	25–60/month
Coffee	1.5–3
Pizza	8–15
Restaurant Meal	15–30
Museum Entry	8–20

Part-Time Income

International students in Italy may work within the limits allowed by their residence permit. Typical hourly wages are:

Job Type	Hourly Wage (€)
Café/Restaurant	8–12
Retail Store	8–11
Warehouse	8–13
Tutor	12–20
University Assistant	10–15
Delivery Services	8–12

Monthly earnings often range between €400 and €900, depending on hours worked and the city.

Budget Tips for International Students

• Choose shared accommodation instead of a private apartment.
• Apply early for university residences, as they are usually cheaper than private rentals.
• Use student discounts for public transportation, museums, and cultural attractions.
• Cook at home instead of eating out regularly.
• Purchase second-hand textbooks or use university library resources.
• Compare supermarket prices and shop during weekly promotions.
• Consider smaller cities such as Bari, Pisa, Padua, or Naples for a lower overall cost of living.

Final Thoughts

Italy offers an excellent balance between academic quality and affordability. While cities such as Milan and Rome require a larger budget, many university cities—including Bologna, Turin, Pisa, Padua, Naples, and Bari—allow students to live comfortably on €700–€1,300 per month. Careful budgeting, student discounts, and part-time work can significantly reduce overall expenses, making Italy an attractive destination for international students.

Sources

• Numbeo – Cost of Living in Italy
• Study in Italy (Official Government Portal)
• Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR)
• HousingAnywhere Italy
• Idealista Italy