Cost of living in Milan: An accessible overview (2024-2025)

Milan is expensive, so how much do you really need to live in this futuristic fashion metropolis? Check out our breakdown and find out!

Bas Teunissen

4 minute read

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Updated on 2 May 2025

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Living

Milan is a city that speaks to the imagination due to its reputation as a centrepiece of fashion, luxury and European economic power. So how much does it cost, not to visit, but to actually live in Milan? We’ve done the research for you, so you know if Milan is going to be your new Mediterranean home.

We’ve broken down the cost of living into 4 categories:

• The average rental prices
• Food & groceries
• Entertainment & leisure
• Public transportation

Here’s our easy overview of your cost of living in Milan. Curious how we got there? Keep reading!

All in all, you’ll be spending around €800 - €1,000 on top of your rent. That means you need quite a decent income of between €2,000 to €2,400 to live comfortably in Milan. If you still need an apartment, start looking for homes for rent in Milan early.

The monthly cost of living in Milan for 1 person:

Milan is known as the most expensive city in Italy, and that’s certainly true for its rental prices!

According to the HousingAnywhere Rent Index, Milan is one of the most expensive cities in Europe when it comes to rental prices. Especially in the last year, prices for private rooms have increased.

Here’s an overview of the average rental prices in Milan

Milan compared to Amsterdam

While Milan is the most expensive city in Italy, it's also one of the most expensive cities in Europe (based on the average rental price for apartments).

So how does Milan hold up against another popular European city of equal stature: Amsterdam. Here’s how the rental price of rooms and apartments in Amsterdam is compared to Amsterdam:

As you can see, Milan isn’t actually that bad in terms of living expenses!

In the end, it all depends on what you’re used to and how much your average salary in Italy will be at your new Italian job! If you’re not sure which area of Milan is best for you, definitely check out our Milan neighbourhoods guide.

Milan is an expensive city overall, not to mention a tourist hotspot. That means prices for food in the city are also higher than average.

The prices of groceries are higher than Rome (+20.1%) Florence (+20.7%).

Here’s an idea of what you’ll encounter when filling your cart in a Milanese supermarket.

The more luxury products, such as chicken breast, cheese and beef are especially pricey compared to other areas in Italy.

Whether you’re into diving into Milan’s pulsing nightlife or simply looking for a bite of Italy’s famous delicacies. I highly recommend trying risotto alla Milanese or Ossobucco, if you’re a meat-lover.

Whether you get a kick out of its fashion or prefer to take in the beautiful galleries and the most incredible shops, exploring is how you’ll get to breathe in the special energy that you find only in Milan.

Milan is a bustling metropolis with an extensive and affordable public transport network.

As a city of business, taxis are also very popular, but a little pricey. Also, make sure you confirm the price with the driver beforehand to avoid a pricey surprise when you arrive at your destination.

There you go! An easy overview of some of the most common expenses you’ll run into when you start your new life in Milan!

Still in need of a home in this beautiful city? We got you covered! You can find apartments for rent in Milan that meet your requirements, from studios to furnished homes.