What is the cost of living in Florence

What are the cost of living in Florence? Let us show you how much you'll spend in Florence.

Bas Teunissen

4 minute read

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Updated on 24 Mar 2026

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Living

You’ve done your research about things to know before moving to Florence, and you’re pretty confident that Florence might just be your new home in Italy! There’s just one more question you need to answer for yourself: what does it cost to live there?

We’ve done the digging to give you a picture of how much you can expect to spend on everyday expenses in what some call the most beautiful city in the world, Firenze.

We’ve broken down our findings into 4 main categories:

• Average rental prices
• Daily Groceries
• Entertainment, leisure and culture
• Public transport

Florence is about 14% cheaper than Milan. You'll need around €5,060 in Florence to match a €5,900 lifestyle in Milan. That said, affordability is personal, and it comes down to what you earn.

The average monthly salary in Florence is €1,765 after tax, which is 55% of the average monthly cost of living excluding rent. For broader context, average salaries in Italy is €2,625 per month or €1,729 after tax. You can check out how to find jobs in Florence for further reading on what to expect and where to start.

Let's breakdown the average cost of living for one person in Florence, excluding rent.

All this, including some monthly expenses I’ve not mentioned here (clothing, taxes, etc.) mean that you’ll have to factor in a cost of living of around €973 on top of your housing expenses. Let’s dive into a more granular breakdown below!

Average rental prices in Florence

Florence relies heavily on tourism, which means the pandemic had a real impact on the city. As a result, rental prices have gone down, making the city slightly more affordable to rent. The HousingAnywhere Rent Index shows that this trend is visible across all of the most common rental categories of rooms, studios and apartments.

When you explore rental homes in Florence these are the average rental prices you can expect:

Your rent is going to be the most significant expense you face every month. So, depending on your lifestyle and where you’re from, Florence will probably be a bit more affordable. Of course, prices will vary depending on which neighborhood in Florence you're living in.

Some cheaper neighbourhoods on the outskirts offer good value, others come with trade-offs worth knowing about before you sign a contract. Look up the areas to avoid in Florence when you are researching about neighborhood.

Groceries in Florence

Overall, the price for groceries in Florence is relatively high. That said, prices are still more affordable than in Milan (8.2%). Expect to pay €415 monthly for your grocery. Here’s an idea of what to expect in a Florence supermarket.

Entertainment, leisure and culture

There’s not much that beats the pop of a bottle of wine or the fizzle of a freshly poured draft beer on a summer night in Florence. Florence is a city whose beauty has been described by many authors, poets … and travel bloggers. That’s precisely why going out for something to eat or drink in Florence can be more expensive than in other cities: tourism.

So, if you’re not always willing to pay the ‘tourist tax’ on a night out, make sure you go to the places where the locals hang out and make some friends at some of the more lovely places. In time, you’ll be met with broad smiles and the local’s prices! I don’t know about you, but I can already taste the bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) I’m going to order tonight.

Cost of getting around in Florence

Florence is a flourishing tourist city. That means you’ll have access to an extensive and affordable public transport network known as the ATAF system.

The city’s busses are equipped with AC and are wheelchair accessible. Things do get crowded during rush hours, though. Taxis are also very affordable, so long as you confirm the price with the driver beforehand. Please note that it's customary to book a cab in advance, rather than simply waving one down by the road.

There it is! An overview of some of the most common expenses you’ll run into when you start your new life in Florence.

Ready to move? Make sure to start your search for homes for rent in Florence, it is best to start your search early.