Where are the best places to live in Italy?

Discover Milan, Florence, Turin, Rome, and Bologna—Italy’s best cities for expats and students. Get 2026 rent prices, safety tips, and insider relocation advice.

Bas Teunissen

11 minute read

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Updated on 26 Oct 2026

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Moving

The best places to live in Italy as a student or young professional are Milan, Florence, Turin, Rome, and Bologna. Milan is the top pick for career growth and international networking. Turin is the most affordable big city, Florence suits culture lovers and semester students, Rome is ideal for vibrant capital-city life, and Bologna is the premier university hub. If you are planning a move, you can compare rooms, studios and apartments across Italy to find the right home for your stay.

Italy combines an enviable climate, historic architecture, and rich regional cultures with major economic hubs. To select the top cities, we evaluated rental costs, international community presence, overall quality of life, safety ratings, and professional or academic opportunities. Rental averages are sourced directly from the HousingAnywhere Rent Index. Below is how each destination compares in 2026 and what you need to navigate the Italian rental market.

Key takeaways

• Milan is the best all-rounder for professionals, featuring 21.2% international residents and abundant corporate roles, with apartments averaging €1,791 per month.
• Turin is the most budget-friendly major city on our list, offering private rooms at an average of €530 per month.
• Florence ranks as the safest among the featured major cities, holding a safety index of 72.
• Bologna is Italy’s quintessential university hub; rental demand is intense, so secure accommodation well in advance.
• For a 6-month stay, opt for a furnished property under a contratto transitorio (1 to 18 months) or a dedicated university student contract.
• Always obtain your codice fiscale (tax code) before signing a lease—it is mandatory for every legal tenancy in Italy.

The top five cities to live in Italy for expats are:

1. Milan: best for careers and English speakers
2. Florence: best for art, culture, and study abroad
3. Turin: best on a budget
4. Rome: best for history and vibrant city life
5. Bologna: best for students and young academics

If you are preparing to move to Italy, here is an overview of how much the rent costs in 2026.

Which city should you choose?

• Choose Milan if career progression, corporate headquarters, and a large English-speaking network are your priorities.
• Choose Turin if you want big-city cultural amenities and northern Italian infrastructure on a modest budget.
• Choose Florence if you are studying abroad, working remotely, or value a historic, highly walkable urban core.
• Choose Rome if you want an energetic capital city steeped in millennia of art, history, and vibrant dining.
• Choose Bologna if you are enrolling in university or prefer a youthful city easily traversed on foot or by bicycle. Find student rooms in Bologna before semester demand peaks.
• Look south (Naples, Bari, or Palermo) if warm coastal climates and low living costs take precedence over international corporate job openings.

1. Milan: the best place to live in Italy

Milan is the premier destination in Italy for career-focused expats seeking international networking and cosmopolitan living. It features dynamic neighborhoods, diverse work opportunities, prestigious universities, and world-renowned design and cultural sectors.

Home to roughly 1.4 million residents in the city proper and over 8 million across the wider metropolitan area, Milan anchors the region of Lombardy—one of the European Union's "Four Motors for Europe" economic powerhouses.

International community: In 2023, Milan recorded approximately 301,149 foreign residents, representing 21.2% of the total municipal population (Municipality of Milan, 2023). Thousands of British and American expatriates reside here, supported by English-language news outlets, international schools, and multinational firms. Even without fluency in Italian, you will establish a social circle with ease.

Quality of life: A study published in Nature Cities in September 2024 recognized Milan among the most walkable and livable cities in Europe, highlighting its urban accessibility and transit integration. The primary consideration is the elevated cost of living in Milan. Local salaries reflect this higher benchmark, making Milan most rewarding once you secure a local corporate package.

Rental market: The HousingAnywhere Rent Index positions Milan as the #6 most expensive city in Europe. Commuter rail and metro networks connect outer quarters seamlessly to the historic center. You can find flats for rent in Milan across various districts to suit your budget. In historic residential buildings, verify whether spese condominiali (building maintenance fees) are included in the headline rent, as centralized seasonal heating can add substantial monthly costs.

2. Florence: best for art and culture

Florence is the ideal destination for culture enthusiasts, creative professionals, and study-abroad students. As the capital of Tuscany and the historic birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence pairs world-renowned heritage with an economy anchored in artisan manufacturing, tourism, and regional agriculture.

International community: Florence counts roughly 370,000 residents, with foreign nationals comprising approximately 16% of the population. Renowned universities and international study programs give the city an energetic expat presence. For newcomers immersing themselves in Italian culture, the city offers unparalleled artistic immersion.

Quality of life: While not inexpensive, Florence's cost of living remains noticeably lower than Milan’s. The historic center is compact and pedestrian-oriented, removing the need for personal vehicle ownership. Seasonal considerations include intense summer heat and dense tourist foot traffic in core historic quarters.

Rental market: Single rooms average approximately €600 per month. Landlords frequently accommodate semester-based academic calendars, providing a reliable inventory of furnished properties. You can find rental homes in Florence suited to your specific stay duration.

3. Turin: best on a budget

Turin is the most affordable large metropolis in northern Italy. Serving as the first capital of unified Italy and current capital of Piedmont, Turin rests along the Po River beneath the Western Alps, functioning as one of Italy's foundational industrial and technological centers.

International community: Turin is home to roughly 850,000 residents, with non-Italian nationals making up around 14% of the population (expanding to nearly 2 million across the metropolitan area). Its sustained engagement with global industry, engineering, and design fosters an open, internationally receptive environment.

Employment & industry: Turin anchors Italy’s automotive industry (headquartering operations for Fiat, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo) and an advanced aerospace cluster that fabricated multiple pressurized modules for the International Space Station. Rapidly expanding tech hubs provide steady opportunities for jobs in Turin.

Quality of life: Turin offers stately Baroque architecture, expansive royal neighborhoods, grand piazzas, and celebrated opera houses alongside premier universities. The pace is calmer and more spacious than Milan, complemented by convenient alpine access for outdoor recreation.

Rental market: Turin delivers the most accessible cost of living among major northern cities. You can find houses for rent in Turin at rates substantially lower than Milan or Rome; studio apartments average €680 per month—nearly half the cost of Rome.

4. Rome: best for big-city life

Rome offers unrivaled historical depth combined with the bustling energy of a national capital. Italy’s political and administrative center provides expats in Rome with an authentic Mediterranean lifestyle, dynamic nightlife, and expansive professional networks.

International community: With approximately 2.8 million inhabitants, Rome is the third most populous city proper in the European Union. Over 300,000 foreign residents call the capital home (about 10% of the population). Prominent international universities draw researchers and students globally. Every historic Rome neighborhood reveals centuries of classical, Renaissance, and modern heritage.

Quality of life: Beyond government and diplomatic bodies, Rome’s economy is propelled by tourism, telecommunications, financial services, and construction. Navigating the capital requires patience with urban congestion and municipal transit strikes, but its vibrant culinary traditions and monumental public spaces remain unmatched.

Rental market: Rome commands the highest average apartment rent on our list at €1,990 per month, though its broader cost of living in Rome remains competitive compared to London or Paris. To maximize living space, search for homes to rent in Rome in well-connected residential districts outside the central tourist core.

5. Bologna: best for student life

Bologna is the leading Italian city for university students, researchers, and young professionals seeking a walkable, socially engaged urban environment. It hosts the University of Bologna—founded in 1088 as the Western world's oldest university in continuous operation.

International community & student life: Around 390,000 residents live in Bologna, with foreign nationals comprising approximately 15% of the populace. Over 80,000 university students energize the city center, cultivating an open-minded and welcoming social atmosphere.

Quality of life: Widely celebrated as Italy’s culinary capital, Bologna is framed by almost 40 kilometers of medieval and Renaissance porticoes—inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. High-speed rail connections place Milan just one hour away and Florence 40 minutes away.

Rental market: Because student enrollment heavily outweighs available housing, Bologna maintains one of Italy’s most competitive rental landscapes. Begin your property search at least three months before your start date. Browse student rooms in Bologna as soon as your relocation dates are established.

Florence is the safest major city evaluated, holding an independent safety index of 72. Milan (65, Travelsafe) and Rome (64) follow closely. Violent crime remains exceptionally rare across all five cities; the primary safety concerns center on non-violent property offenses—specifically pickpocketing and luggage theft near transport hubs and tourist landmarks.

Essential urban safety practices:

• Guard against distraction techniques: In bustling hubs like Rome and Milan, staged questions, petition clipboards, or street distractions are standard ploys for pickpocketing accomplices.
• Keep personal belongings secure: Use zip closures and wear crossbody bags in front when boarding crowded metro carriages and buses.
• Verify residential locks and parking: Avoid leaving visible bags or electronics inside parked vehicles, and ensure double-locking residential building doors.
• Commute with ease on transit: In Milan, public transport is clean, heavily monitored, and reliable, with solo travelers and women navigating metro lines safely at all standard operating hours.
• Blend with local routines: In Florence, petty thieves target conspicuous visitors. Adopt local rhythms by learning how to live like a Florence local.
• Inspect prospective quarters digitally: Utilize street-level digital mapping and inquire with prospective landlords regarding night-time street lighting. For comprehensive preparation, consult our Italy moving checklist.

For a mid-term stay (such as a 6-month study semester or temporary work assignment), Turin and Florence offer the smoothest rental availability. Turin combines affordable rental inventory with moderate competition, while Florence features an established ecosystem of landlords catering to semester-long academic terms. Choose Milan if your company requires on-site attendance, and budget extra search time for Rome and Bologna.

Short-to-mid-term relocations require distinct leasing approaches compared to standard multi-year tenancies. In our 2026 Tenant Survey, Jimena highlighted that "many landlords ask for a minimum 6-month stay," while Francisca noted that *"finding a place for just one semester is very hard without platform support."

Selecting the correct tenancy structure:
For durations between 1 and 18 months, the formal Italian framework is the contratto transitorio (transitory lease), which legally mandates a documented temporary cause—such as an academic exchange, fixed-term employment contract, or professional internship. Registered university students can also utilize a contratto per studenti universitari (ranging from 6 to 36 months). Short-stay holiday rentals should generally be avoided for mid-term stays: they carry heavy nightly premiums and typically cannot be utilized to establish local residency or register your presence with local authorities. To understand legal requirements, review our detailed guide on mid-term rentals in Italy.

Immigration registration for non-EU nationals:
Non-EU nationals residing in Italy beyond 90 days must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 business days of arrival. An officially registered tenancy agreement (contratto di locazione registrato) is crucial for this documentation.

*"I wish I had known that some types of housing do not have a contract that can be registered for the 'permesso di soggiorno' (residence permit)." - Marcia, students relocating to Italy.

Key relocation timeline guidelines:

• Initiate searches 2 to 3 months before arrival: Student housing in Bologna, Florence, and Rome fills rapidly by July for September semester starts.
• Prioritize furnished rentals: Furnished properties eliminate the cost and logistical complexity of purchasing and reselling household furnishings for a temporary stay.
• Clarify utility responsibilities: Unbudgeted utility bills were the single most frequent surprise expense in Italy, cited by 27% of respondents in our 2026 Tenant Survey.

Found an Italian city you can picture yourself living in? Start by checking what your housing budget can get you there. Explore rooms, studios and apartments in Italy on HousingAnywhere, compare what’s included in the rent, and check the commute to your university or workplace. Whether you’re moving for a semester or a new job, finding a home that fits your everyday life is the next step.

Where is the cheapest place to live in Italy?
Turin is the most affordable major city among Italy's primary economic centers, with single rooms averaging €530 and studio apartments €680. Southern hubs such as Naples, Bari, and Palermo provide even lower rental rates, though corporate expat employment opportunities are more limited there.

Can you live in Italy without speaking Italian?
Yes. In metropolitan areas like Milan, Rome, and Florence, you can manage daily activities, hospitality, and shopping in English. However, legal agreements, official administrative processes, and utility providers operate almost entirely in Italian. Review our Italy expat language tips to prepare for day-to-day integration.

Which Italian city has the most English speakers?
Milan possesses Italy’s largest international corporate demographic, with 21.2% foreign residents, including substantial British and American expat communities. Rome hosts the second-largest professional community, while Florence features a prominent American student and study-abroad presence. Learn more about international communities in our guide to expat life in Milan.

Is Milan or Rome better for expats?
Milan is superior for corporate career growth, engineering, finance, and punctual transit infrastructure. Rome is preferable for public-sector careers, diplomacy, warmer Mediterranean weather, and historic lifestyle immersion. While Rome has higher average apartment rents (€1,990 versus €1,791 in Milan), single room costs remain nearly identical.

Which Italian city is best for students?
Bologna is widely regarded as Italy’s top student city due to the historic University of Bologna, vibrant student culture, and pedestrian-friendly layout. Turin represents the best budget-conscious university alternative, with student rooms averaging €530 per month. Milan is preferred for graduates targeting international business careers. Explore your options across our guide to student housing in Italy.

How much money do you need to live in Italy per month?
Housing constitutes your largest ongoing cost, spanning from €530 for a room in Turin up to €1,990 for a private apartment in Rome. On average, single expats should budget an additional €700 to €1,100 per month for groceries, utilities, public transit, and leisure, depending on their city. Consult our comprehensive cost of living in Italy resource for granular figures.

Is it safe to rent a home in Italy without an in-person viewing?
Yes, provided that you book through an established platform offering verified host profiles and secure payment escrow. Never transfer funds directly via wire or peer-to-peer apps to individuals found on social networks. Request a comprehensive video walkthrough and examine previous tenant feedback before making a reservation. Read our rental safety guide for additional scam-prevention measures.