What is the cost of living like in Italy for expats?

Housing costs are mostly much higher than expats expect and utilities are pricey compared ot the US where energy costs are still low. Gasoline is much more expensive in Europe, but food is cheaper and fresher and tastier too. Clothing, medicine and day to day living is also much cheaper. Energy in all forms - from heating your house to putting petrol in your car to keeping the lights on - is much more expensive.

In America if you want quality you have to pay for it! High quality is just the standard here in Italy. This means that a good glass of wine at an enoteca with a vast array of finger foods could cost you just 5 euros. At home I was used to paying at least 10 dollars with nothing to munch on! Italians believe that wine must be paired with food ALWAYS! 30 euros a head for dinner may seem pricey but considering how much food you eat for that, it makes it seem like a great deal!

\italy is expensive! Heating your house in the winter, so from november till end of april is very expensive. Bills of Euro 3.500 for 6 weeks of heating your house are normal. Then you still need to pay the electricity and water. It all depends whether you are on the gas net or in the countryside. Car insurance you have to take out on the internet. First six months we paid Euro 1.500. Internet is cheaper. Renting a house or app. is expensive. You get a terrible quality and pay a lot. Put towels under the window when it rains etc etc et. Take playdoh with you to close th wholes etc. Still it is an experience, but be aware that iit is not cheap!

Hey all, the cost of living in Italy can vary depending on the region in which you're living. For a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay for all your basics, including a price list of food and household items, have a look at our dedicated Cost of Living in Italy page.

Hi. Depending on the spot living in Itraly can be expensive. There is a real gap between North and South. Inthe South, if you look carefully, you can find something decent between 400 to 500 euros.In the North, prices can be really steep, especially if they know you are an expat.Unfortunately, bills (electricty, gas, water, cable, phone) are very high! Electricty in particular. I was shocked to see that my firest bill touched 200 euros so I started to switch off boiler, plugs and other things which remained on. The bill did go down considerably. Food depends! It is of better quality but is not cheaper everywhere! You have to go to Conad or Eurodif to pay very little. The rest is pretty expensive, especially meat and cheese. Transport is cheap but not reliable. Entertainment is very expensive: cd, dvds, cinema, concerts (nearly inexistant!)but most town will have communal celebrations so that's your chance to get to know the local culture.