How much is the average rent in Rome? Cost of living guide

Thinking about moving to Rome? Get a real breakdown of rent, food, entertainment, and transport costs. Compare Rome’s affordability to other major cities.

Bas Teunissen

8 minute read

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Updated on 16 Sep 2026

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Living

Living in Rome costs about €852 excluding rent per month for a single person, with average rent for a room adding another €650 on top of that.

How much does it cost to live in Rome? That's probably the question that led you here. To give you a quick answer, you can expect the living cost in Rome to be €852 excluding rent per month for a single person.

We've broken down the cost of living in the Italian capital into 4 primary categories:

• Housing: average rental prices
• Food: groceries and other daily necessities
• Entertainment: going out for lunch, dinner and activities
• Transportation: getting around in Rome

Key takeaways

• Budget around €852 a month excluding rent for essentials as a single person, then add rent on top: €650 for a room, up to €1,990 for a full apartment.
• Students usually spend less thanks to shared rooms, student discounts, and university canteens.
• Young professionals need an average salary of about €1,858 after tax a month to live comfortably in Rome.
• Rome is cheaper than Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and even Milan, but pricier than most southern Italian cities.
• One-off move-in costs (deposits, agency fees, registration tax) can add up fast, so budget for them before you sign anything.
• You can cut costs meaningfully by living just outside the historic centre and cooking at home instead of eating out near tourist sites.

Here's an overview of what you should be expecting to spend while living in Rome as an expat!

While Rome is the capital city of Italy, it's notably cheaper than some European cities like Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin. It's even cheaper than Milan! To live comfortably in Rome, you need an average salary of about €1,858 after tax a month. As a student in Rome, your cost of living is lower.

Rome's higher prices cluster around the historic centre for a simple reason: tourism. Heavy foot traffic near landmarks like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain pushes up rents and restaurant prices in those specific pockets, while everyday neighbourhoods stay far more affordable.

Check out our tips for job hunting in Rome as a foreigner.

Cost of living overview for one person in Rome

^This is the average rental price for all rental types across Rome.

No matter where you choose to live, your rent is most likely going to be your largest monthly expenditure. Here's your overview of the average rental prices in Rome:

These prices are just the average rental prices across Rome. Depending on which Roman neighborhood you live in, prices will vary. If you're looking for lower monthly costs, we recommend exploring houses for rent near Rome's outer centre or closer to the residential areas. You may also want to pick a neighborhood that fits your budget, as costs vary significantly by area.

Hidden and one-off costs when renting in Rome

Rent isn't the only cost you'll face when moving in. Budget for a security deposit of 2-3 months' rent, refunded at the end of your stay if the property is in good condition.

If you rent through an agency, expect to pay a finder's fee of about 1 month's rent plus 22% VAT on top of your deposit and first rent payment. This fee is usually non-negotiable and due before you get the keys.

Most landlords register your lease under Italy's "cedolare secca" flat-tax regime, which means you won't pay the standard 2% annual registration tax that applies to other lease types. Ask your landlord which regime applies before signing, since it affects who owes what.

One cost you can cross off your list: Rome's city tax only applies to hotel stays and short lets, not to registered long-term tenants, so it won't show up on your monthly bill.

Grocery prices in Rome

While buying groceries at a Roman supermarket isn't cheap compared to the rest of Italy, it's around 19% cheaper than Milan and 11.6% cheaper than Florence.

Let's take a look at the average supermarket prices in Rome:

So depending on your lifestyle, you're looking at around €297 a month in groceries for one person, roughly on par with the average cost of food in Rome once you factor in snacks and extras.

Cost of eating out in Rome

A huge benefit of living in Rome is savouring the Italian cuisine. Here's what you can expect when going out for meals or drinks in the city, including the average meal price in Rome across different spots.

The closer you're to the tourist sites, the more expensive it gets. So this is your sign to get out and explore the restaurants and bars in smaller neighbourhoods for a more authentic Roman experience.

There's also plenty to see and to do in the city, so you need to budget for nights and weekends out on the town. Like any major city, a nightlife in Rome can get expensive. Let's take a look at what you'll be up against when making the most of Rome's leisure and entertainment.

As the nation's capital and tourist hotspot, Rome has quite a robust public transport system! This means getting around Rome doesn't necessarily require you to invest in your own vehicle.

Be wary, though, as how public transport works in Rome around popular tourist transactions can also be a hotspot for petty crime, such as pickpocketing. Overall, public transport is relatively affordable.

Rome is cheaper to live in than Milan and slightly cheaper than Florence, based on cost of living data. Here's how the three cities stack up:

*Numbeo Cost of Living Index, city comparison, 2026. **Rental data via Idealista, cited in Immigrant Invest's 2026 cost of living report.

Prioritise Rome if history, central access, and a moderate budget matter most to you. Prioritise Milan if you're chasing higher salaries and don't mind paying more for rent. Prioritise Florence if you want a smaller, walkable city with similar central-Italy pricing to Rome.

Live slightly outside the historic centre to cut your rent significantly. Neighbourhoods like Ostiense offer lower prices than the centre while staying well connected by public transport.

Cook at home more often. Groceries run about €297 a month, while three meals a day at restaurants can easily double that figure.

Use your student status. An ISIC card gets you discounts on museums, transport, and some restaurants, and university canteens ("mense universitarie") offer full meals for a few euros.

Avoid tourist-zone restaurants and bars. Prices near the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and other major sites run noticeably higher than the same meal a few streets away.

Split a room instead of renting a studio or full apartment if you're prioritising savings over space. A room averages €650 a month, compared to €1,350 for a studio and €1,990 for an apartment.

Since rent will be the biggest part of your budget, start your search for homes for rent in Rome early, well before your move-in date.

Booking through HousingAnywhere means you see transparent pricing, detailed listings, and identity-verified landlords upfront, so the costs above won't come as a surprise once you've committed. You can also complete your entire booking online before you arrive, which matters if you're moving from abroad and can't view properties in person first.

Moving to Rome as a student?

If you're planning to start your studies in the city, be sure to check out the best universities in Rome for international students and see what options are available for your field. For a deeper dive into academic life and practical tips, read up on how studying in Italy works and how to find student accommodation in Italy. These resources can help you make the most of your move and secure the right housing.

You need about €1,858 after tax a month to live comfortably in Rome. The average salary in Italy sits closer to €1,691, so budgeting carefully matters, especially early in your career. If you're job-hunting locally, explore our tips for job hunting as an expat for insights into the Rome job market and what you'll need to apply.

What is the average cost of living in Rome for a student or young expat? Expect around €852 a month excluding rent for a single person. Students typically spend less by sharing rooms, using student discounts, and eating at university canteens.

Is Rome more expensive to live in than Milan or Florence? No. Rome is cheaper than Milan and slightly cheaper than Florence, based on the Numbeo Cost of Living Index for 2026.

How much is the average salary in Rome, and is it enough to live on? You need about €1,858 after tax a month to live comfortably in Rome. The average net salary in Italy sits closer to €1,691, so budgeting carefully matters, especially early in your career.

Are there hidden costs when renting an apartment in Rome? Yes. Budget for a security deposit of 2-3 months' rent and, if you use an agency, a finder's fee of about 1 month's rent plus 22% VAT. Rome's city tax doesn't apply to long-term tenants.

What discounts or cost-saving tips are available for students in Rome? Use an ISIC card for discounts on museums, transport, and restaurants, eat at university canteens, and consider living just outside the centre in areas like Ostiense.

How have living costs in Rome changed in recent years? Rental costs across Italy rose only moderately overall in the past decade, but inflation and demand have pushed everyday prices up faster in the last few years, particularly near universities and tourist centres.

For more on what everyday life in Rome actually feels like, check out our expat guide to living in Rome for relocation tips, cultural insight, and what to expect after you move.