The ultimate expat guide to Turin's top 7 neighbourhoods

Find out top 7 neighborhoods in Turin for students and expats. Rental prices start at €400/month!

Stefano

8 minute read

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Updated on 27 Apr 2026

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Living

Turin offers diverse neighborhoods for students and expats, each with unique living costs, amenities, and atmospheres. If you're thinking of living in Turin and decide to find houses for rent in Turin, here's the ultimate guide to its neighbourhoods to help you choose the one best suited to your needs.

Key takeaways:

• Centro offers history and amenities but comes with the highest rental prices (€520 for a room, €1,200 for an apartment).
• San Salvario is a bohemian, multicultural hub popular with students and internationals, featuring affordable rents starting at €400 for a room.
• Crocetta is a desirable residential area known for its quality of life and safety, with average room rents at €450.
• Vanchiglia is a young, growing neighborhood with indie bars and a strong nightlife, with rooms averaging €450.
• Cenisia and Cit Turin offer good safety standards and are popular with locals and students due to their proximity to Politecnico University.

Turin is home to several universities spread across different neighbourhoods, so your best option depends on where you're studying. Vanchiglia is home to the Universities of Literature and Law, while both Crocetta, Cenisia and Cit Turin are popular with students attending Politecnico University.

If you're planning to study in Turin, keep in mind that not all universities are in the same area. Check your university's location before you decide on where to rent apartment in Turin for students. Turin is a city of 130 square km and around one million inhabitants: if you don't do your maths right, you can easily spend more than an hour on public transport.

Since rent will be a huge part of your Turin's cost of living budget, knowing rent prices for each neighborhood will help you narrow down your search. Generally, San Salvario and Cenisia and Cit Turin stand out, with rooms starting at €400 per month. San Salvario's multicultural atmosphere and lively social scene make it a favourite among students and internationals, while Cenisia and Cit Turin offer a more residential feel with solid transport connections to the centre. Borgo Rossini is also increasingly attracting student interest, with new student residences planned for the area.

Rent in Turin varies considerably depending on the neighbourhood. Centro has the highest prices, with rooms averaging €520 and apartments reaching €1,200 per month. At the other end, San Salvario and Cenisia and Cit Turin are the most affordable options, with rooms starting at €400 per month.

Mid-range neighbourhoods like Crocetta, Vanchiglia, and Borgo Rossini typically sit between these two extremes, with room around €450 per month. Borgo Po is the priciest option outside the centre, with apartments averaging €1,300 per month, reflecting its upscale, residential character.

Turin is generally considered a safe city, particularly in its residential and semi-central neighbourhoods. Areas like Crocetta, Borgo Po, and Cenisia and Cit Turin consistently rank among the safest in the city, making them popular with families, locals, and international students alike. You can find out where expats tend to settle here.

That said, a few areas call for extra caution. The Porta Palazzo district, just beyond Corso Regina Margherita in the centre, is best avoided at night. Similarly, the area around Porta Nuova Station in San Salvario is not recommended, even during the day. In Vanchiglia, the lively nightlife can occasionally lower safety standards on weekends. Borgo Rossini is steadily improving, but it's still worth staying alert.

Ready to find your perfect home? Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of these neighborhoods unique.

Centro: Historic heart with premium prices

The Centro is Turin's oldest district and walking through its streets you can breathe in the history of the city through the centuries.

The perimeter still roughly coincides with the colony of Augusta Taurinorum, the camp built by the Romans around 28 BC. The typical 'chessboard' structure has been preserved and the remains of the defensive walls are still visible!

The centre of Turin offers all the amenities of a modern European city: Shops of a wide range of brands, bars, restaurants and offices. The streets of the centre are characterised by a well-organized sequence of wide, winding streets and majestic squares, including the famous Piazza Castello. In this part of the city, public transport is well organized and available 24 hours a day.

All this luxury comes with a cost: the house prices here are among the highest in the city. The relative rental prices are as follows:

• Room: €520
• Apartment: €1,200
• Studio: €850

The centre of Turin attracts national and international tourists all year round, who come to admire its beauty, museums and events. Even though the majority of the permanent residents are locals, you'll certainly come across expats.

The centre of Turin is generally one of the safest areas. Beware of the area beyond Corso Regina Margherita: from there you enter the so-called 'Porta Palazzo' district, you should definitely keep an eye out at night.

Crocetta: Residential charm and safety

To the south of the historic centre you'll find Crocetta - literally "little cross" - which derives its name from the 18th-century Beata Vergine delle Grazie church.

Crocetta is a residential area just outside the centre. It offers many green spaces where you can relax and is well connected by public transport, as it is located halfway between the Porta Susa and Porta Nuova train stations.

These characteristics make it one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Turin and the high demand translates into above-average rental prices.

This is what you can expect from the average rental prices in Crocetta:

• Room: €450
• Apartment: €1,100
• Studio: €800

Its proximity to the centre and quality of life, make Crocetta attractive to locals and internationals alike. In addition, Politecnico University attracts many international students to its streets.

Crocetta has always been one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city.

San Salvario: Bohemian vibes and nightlife

San Salvario: the bohemian face of Turin to the southeast of the centre.

Until 10 years ago, San Salvario was one of the city's least preferred neighbourhoods. Nowadays, it's multicultural face has made it a favourite destination for students and internationals when it comes to partying. Among its streets, you can find many affordable restaurants and clubs offering cocktails and live music.

Check out popular things to do in Turin for students

This district is also home to one of the city's green lungs: Parco del Valentino, perfect for Sunday walks.

The cost of living in San Salvario, Turin is generally affordable. HousingAnywhere tip: make sure that the street where you're planning to rent doesn't get too loud at night.

The average rental prices in San Salvario are:

• Room: €400
• Apartment: €850
• Studio: €550

Due to its characteristics, San Salvario attracts local artists and musicians, but also many students and internationals looking for fun.

Be careful of where you look for accommodation. The area around Porta Nuova Station is not very recommendable, both during the day and especially at night.

Vanchiglia: Young, vibrant, and growing

One of Turin's historic districts, north-east of the centre, nestled between the rivers Po and Dora Riparia and with a radical-chich soul.

Vanchiglia is undoubtedly one of the youngest and fastest-growing neighbourhoods, and the rents are following this trend as well.

You should be prepared to pay the following rental prices:

• Room: €450
• Apartment: €1,000
• Studio: €700

Its narrow streets offer indie bars, typical Piemontese restaurants, but also vegan fast-food and organic shops. Given the short distance from the centre and the efficient public transport, it is also becoming populated by art workshops, start-ups and galleries. The nightlife is anything but boring, especially on weekends. Lastly, the proximity to the two rivers offers perfect green spaces for running.

The district attracts both locals and internationals, drawn by the modern lifestyle and the fewer tourists roaming around. The Universities of Literature and Law are located here.

In general, Vanchiglia is considered a safe area to live in, although the nightlife can often lead to a lowering of safety standards.

Cenisia and Cit Turin: Proximity and safety

Just outside the centre going west, Cenisia and Cit Turin are two areas with a shared past.

Cenisia and Cit Turin have a past as industrial districts. They have still preserved some buildings that once were old factories, which have been complemented by modern architectural pieces. In addition to the mix, you can also find some art nouveau houses.

Given their proximity to the centre, to which they are well connected by trams and buses, prices in these districts are quite high. Although students can find better offers, you can expect the following rental prices:

• Room: €400
• Apartment: €1,000
• Studio: € 00

The only negative aspect: Cenisia and Cit Turin are quite busy and there aren't many green spaces.

Cenisia and Cit Turin are considered 2 of the best neighbourhoods to live in Turin and are often chosen by locals. Due to the presence of Politecnico University, the student population is also high.

These are two residential and semi-central neighbourhoods, which offer good standards of safety.

Borgo Po and Precollina: Upscale living

Another story of transformation can be found in Turin's Borgo Po district. From a small and poor hamlet to a prestigious residential district.

Borgo Po was once a small village on the outskirts of the city, inhabited by fishermen and washerwomen.

Today it's one of Turin's most desirable and expensive residential districts. It's located not far from the centre, in the eastern part of the city.

With the exception of the part closest to the city though, the rest of Borgo Po is in a hilly area and therefore not well served by public transport.

• Room: €450
• Apartment: €1,300
• Studio: €850

The district, given its high prices and upscale nature, is inhabited mainly by local families.

Borgo Po ranks as one of the safest neighbourhoods in Turin.

Borgo Rossini: Urban redevelopment and affordability

To the north-east of the city centre, just above Vanchiglia across the river Dora, Borgo Rossini is one of the neighbourhoods in which the city is investing right now.

If you are thinking of moving to Turin and want to personally experience the changes that have seen various areas of the city completely transformed over the years, Borgo Rossini is the neighbourhood for you.

The condition of the neighbourhood was deteriorating, but thanks to intense urban redevelopment, it is now flourishing.

Rental prices, although still affordable, are slowly rising. The neighbourhood is well connected to the centre and its streets are lined with restaurants, bars and discrete nightlife. Art galleries and design studios are also opening up.

The relative accommodation costs in the area are:

• Room: €450
• Apartment: €900
• Studio: €650

Borgo Rossini is mainly inhabited by locals. The trend in recent years is for the area to increasingly attract the interest of students, including international ones. New student residences are going to be built here soon as well.

Safety in the area is improving compared to the past, but it's still best to keep your eyes open.

The centre of Turin is generally one of the safest areas. Crocetta has always been one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city. Borgo Po ranks as one of the safest neighbourhoods in Turin. These are two residential and semi-central neighbourhoods, which offer good standards of safety.

Until 10 years ago, San Salvario was one of the city's least preferred neighbourhoods. Nowadays, it's multicultural face has made it a favourite destination for students and internationals when it comes to partying. Among its streets, you can find many affordable restaurants and clubs offering cocktails and live music. The cost of living in San Salvario, Turin is generally affordable. Rental prices, although still affordable, are slowly rising in Borgo Rossini. The neighbourhood is well connected to the centre and its streets are lined with restaurants, bars and discrete nightlife.

Excited to start your life in Turin? Now that you know all there is about Turin's ever-transforming neighbourhoods, you're ready to make your informed decision and get to the rest of the items on your relocation checklist.

What are the cheapest neighborhoods in Turin for students? San Salvario and Cenisia/Cit Turin are generally the most affordable neighborhoods for students, with rooms averaging around €400-€450 per month.

Which Turin neighborhoods are best for nightlife? San Salvario is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, packed with bars and clubs. Vanchiglia also offers a lively scene, especially on weekends.

Is Turin a safe city to live for international students? Turin is a safe and welcoming city for international students. While standard caution is advised at night near Porta Nuova and Porta Palazzo, the city remains highly safe. With a foreign-born population of 16.1% as of 2024, you can expect a secure, vibrant, and multicultural living environment.

How does the cost of living vary between Turin's neighborhoods? The cost of living, particularly rent, varies significantly. Centro is the most expensive, while neighborhoods like San Salvario and Vanchiglia offer more affordable options for rooms and apartments.

Which neighborhoods in Turin are closest to the universities? Crocetta and Cenisia/Cit Turin are popular with students due to their proximity to the Politecnico University. Vanchiglia is also home to the Universities of Literature and Law.