12 Expensive Italian Cities Where the Dolce Vita Doesn’t Come Cheap
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Italy is a beautiful country famed for its rich history, fascinating culture, mind-blowing architecture, and stunning coastlines with turquoise waters. As such, it’s no surprise that Italy is one of Europe’s most highly sought-after destinations. Unfortunately, that also makes it one of Europe’s most expensive places to live.
So much so you need to know which cities are the most expensive in Italy before you can even imagine living the Italian lifestyle and sipping Aperol Spritz outside the Colosseum. That said, here is a list of 12 of the most expensive cities in Italy. We selected these entries because they have a high cost of living.
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Milan
Let’s start this list with Milan, a luxurious Italian city famed for its breathtaking architecture, high-end shopping, and upscale Italian dining. Milan is a beautiful place to live, with many exciting things to see and do. However, it’s also widely considered the most expensive city in Italy, so you’ll need a big budget to make the move.
The average cost of living in Milan for a single person is $2,057 monthly. For context, that’s $579 more a month than it costs to live in Cagliari. However, we’d argue the high price tag is worth it. You’ll love visiting popular attractions like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Duomo di Milano, and Sforzesco Castle.
Read also: Top Activities To Do in Italy
Rome
Rome, Italy’s capital, is Europe’s most impressive city. A big hit with history buffs and romantic couples, it is renowned for its outstanding architecture, rich Roman history, and traditional Italian cuisine. As one of Europe’s most popular destinations, seeing the city on our list is unsurprising.
The monthly cost of living in Rome is approximately $1,700, including rent, utilities, and food. In Rome, you’ll spend most of your free time exploring ancient landmarks, tucking into traditional Italian dishes, and relaxing in lively plazas. Must-see attractions include the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. Sports fans can also watch AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico.
Read also: Italy’s Tourist Traps To Avoid
Varese
A surprising addition to this list is Varese, a relatively unheard-of city in Northern Italy known for its art-nouveau architecture and lush surroundings. Despite being a lesser-visited city, Varese is one of Italy’s most expensive cities. Living there costs a single person over $1,500 monthly.
When you see Varese, you’ll understand why its cost of living is high. This breathtaking city is a beautiful place to live. While wandering around Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, admiring the 17th-century Sacro Monte di Varese complex, you’ll find yourself exploring the baroque Estense Palace or visiting the scenic Varese Lake. Other notable attractions include Villa Panza, Villa Toeplitz, and Sacro Monte Funicolare.
Read also: Must-Visit Italian Beach Destinations
Florence
Florence, the capital of Italy’s picturesque Tuscany region, is one of Europe’s most luxurious cities. With mind-blowing Renaissance art and architecture, mesmerizing natural surroundings, historic landmarks, and world-famous galleries, the city oozes beauty, elegance, and sophistication. Unfortunately, all of those things come at a cost. In Florence’s case, that cost is over $1,600 a month.
Most people who live in Florence fill their days with iconic buildings, delicious food, and fascinating walks. Significant points of interest you don’t want to miss include Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Galleries, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Piazzale Michelangelo. Big foodies might also be happy to hear that Florence has over 10 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Read also: Italian Dishes To Try
Venice
Admittedly, moving to Venice is risky because the city is highly prone to floods and continues to sink yearly. However, if you don’t mind getting your feet wet now and then, the “Queen of the Adriatic” could be the perfect place to live. However, you’ll need a large budget, as living there costs over $2,000 monthly.
Venice, the capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto region, is a unique city built on over 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Unsurprisingly, the city is best known for its canals, the most impressive of which is the Grand Canal. Walking along the canals, crossing historic bridges like the Rialto Bridge, and discovering famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica is a joy.
Read also: Fairytale Villages in Italy
Lucca
Outdoor enthusiasts who dream of living a peaceful lifestyle in Tuscany quickly fall in love with the city of Lucca and its picturesque surroundings. Surrounded by beautiful Italian countryside, this gorgeous city on the Serchio River offers a tranquil atmosphere, countless outdoor opportunities, and a city center brimming with Renaissance architecture.
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With so much to offer, the cost of living in Lucca was always going to be high. Moving to the city will likely cost approximately $1,800 monthly, including rent and utilities. When you’re not exploring the wilderness that surrounds the city, explore Lucca’s historic center. You’ll find 16th and 17th-century tree-lined walls here, Piazza Napoleone, Palazzo Ducale di Lucca, and Duomo di San Martino.
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Read also: Instagrammable Spots in Italy
Genoa
The following Italian city on our list is Genoa, a vibrant port city in northwest Italy famed for its maritime history, colorful Old Town, beautiful beaches, and turquoise waters. Genoa is an excellent place to live if you want to live an authentic Italian lifestyle and enjoy the Italian coast. However, living in the city will cost you over $1,700 monthly.
When you’re not soaking up the sun on Bagni Marina, get lost exploring the Old Town and its fascinating landmarks. You shouldn’t miss the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Piazza de Ferrari, and Christopher Columbus’ House. Porta Soprana and Palazzo Ducale are also worth visiting.
Read also: Surreal Places in Italy
Bergamo
Despite being one of Italy’s lesser-known and lesser-visited cities, Bergamo has a relatively high cost of living by Italian standards. The average single person in the city pays approximately $1,550 monthly. Situated northeast of Milan in the Lombardy region, this gorgeous city is characterized by its Venetian walls, cobblestone streets, and traditional Italian houses.
Most of the action is in Città Alta, the upper district, which is encircled by the Venetian Walls. This part of the city sits above the rest, offering panoramic views and historic architecture. You can reach the district by funicular. Città Alta is home to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cappella Colleoni, and Duomo di Bergamo.
Read also: Digital Nomad Retreats in Italy
Bologna
Bologna is a beautiful city in Northern Italy best known for its architecture, not Bolognese, which was invented in nearby Imola. A highly sought-after destination with history buffs, your days in Bologna will be filled with medieval architecture, historic plazas, and delicious Italian cuisine. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty great.
The only downside to the city is its cost of living, which is around $1,600 per month. That said, this is much more affordable than other European cities, such as London, where the average cost of living is over $3,000 monthly. Some of the best attractions in Bologna include Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, the Fountain of Neptune, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.
Read also: Enchanting Medieval Cities and Towns in Italy
Cagliari
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy an island lifestyle in Sardinia, move to Cagliari, a beautiful city with a postcard-perfect coastline and many things to see and do. This vibrant city, the capital of Sardinia, is loved for its crystal-clear turquoise water and medieval architecture.
Of course, you’ll also find many restaurants serving authentic Italian food. The city’s crowning glory is its castle and medieval quarter, where you can discover fascinating buildings, historical landmarks, and adorable cafes and shops. Keep your eyes peeled for the Tower of San Pancrazio, the Citadel of Museums, and the Bastion of Saint Remy and Porta dei Leoni.
Read also: Dream Italian Getaway Tips
Vicenza
Located in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, Vicenza is a charming city best known for its elegant 16th-century buildings, laid-back atmosphere, and picturesque surroundings. Although the cost of living in the city is only $1,469 per month, it’s still one of Italy’s most expensive cities.
Like in most Italian cities, you’ll spend most of your time in Vincenza exploring the most famous sights, of which there are many. Some of the most significant points of interest in Vincenza include the Palazzo Chiericati, Palladian Basilica, and the Teatro Olimpico. Meanwhile, on the city’s outskirts, you’ll find a stunning hilltop villa called Villa La Rotonda.
Read also: UNESCO World Heritage Sites To See in Italy
Trento
The final city on our list of the most expensive cities in Italy is Trento, a beautiful city in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy. This city is best known for its historic architecture and rich culture. However, it is also a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts who fly into the city to start their journey to the Dolomites.
You’ll find many breathtaking examples of medieval architecture in Trento, including the Buonconsiglio Castle. You’ll also find other historic landmarks, such as Trento Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, Casa Cazuffi-Rella, and the Mausoleum of Cesare Battisti. Regarding the cost of living, a single person who moves to Trento can expect to spend approximately $1,500 monthly.
Read also: Bizarre Foods To Try in Italy
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