Cost of living in Bologna: What you can expect

Wondering if you can afford to live in Bologna? Read this guide to find out what your monthly expenses in Bologna would look like.

Yordan

4 minute read

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Updated on 29 Oct 2024

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Living

The cost of living in Italy is lower compared to the EU average. But how does that translate to the price tag of living in Bologna? You'll be happy to know that the cost of living in Bologna is relatively affordable for expats.

To help you budget for your life abroad, we'll give you a break down of the cost of living in Bologna into 4 key areas:

• Rental prices
• Food prices
• Leisure prices
• Public transport

Ultimately, the cost of living in Bologna will depend on your lifestyle and budget. While it's true that Bologna isn’t the cheapest city in Italy, it’s possible to live here and not break the bank– especially if you compare it to other major cities like Rome and Milan.

The cost of living in Bologna for a single person is somewhere between €600 and €700 per month excluding rent. With rent, you should budget at least €1,200 for your monthly expenses.

Considering that the average net salary in Bologna is a bit over €2,900 per month, you’ll certainly be able to live here comfortably.

The rental accommodation prices in Bologna are up by 1.6% since 2022. But rent is still more affordable in Bologna than in other Italian cities like Milan and Rome, especially if you're looking to find student accommodation in Bologna.

As per HousingAnywhere’s Rent Index, the average rental prices you’ll have to cover in Bologna are:

Utilities are another significant expense to consider when living in Bologna. A typical monthly bill for a two-bedroom apartment – including costs for electricity, water, gas, and garbage collection – can be around €160. Internet service is typically an additional €30-€40 per month.

Knowing your tenant rights in Italy can make a big difference when renting in Bologna.

Although the price you’ll pay for groceries in Bologna is 1% higher than that in Rome, the higher purchasing power in the capital of the Emilia Romagna region makes up for the difference.

You can trust the following prices to give you a good impression of what to expect:

If you’re looking to stretch your budget, farmer’s markets, such as Campagna Amica, take place every week and have plenty of fresh produce at a price lower than in the supermarket.

With a pleasant climate and a bustling social scene, you’ll often be tempted to spend part of your monthly budget on living the La Dolce Vita like a true Italian.

The numbers below should give you a good impression of what you can expect to spend during your downtime in Bologna:

Many of the museum tickets are cheaper than movie tickets. It's a great alternative when you're low on budget and want something to do with your new international friends.

Although the city is walkable, the public transport system in Bologna is well-developed. It's made up of trams and buses and covers the whole city.

Here’s what the price of using public transportation in Bologna is:

Now that you’re aware of the relative cost of living in the city, it’s time to explore homes for rent in Bologna.

Please reach out to content@housinganywhere.com if you have any suggestions or inquiries about the content on this page.