Italy is the 4th cheapest country in Western Europe, ranking 34 in the Cost of Living Index 2022, below many top study abroad destinations such as USA, UK, Singapore, and Australia. Although the cost of living in Italy is cheaper than many other countries, it is more expensive than in 59% of the countries in the world, also being 173.36% higher than in India. International students willing to study abroad in Italy not only need to pay the tuition fees of the university, but also cover the travel and living expenses, which can lead to financial burden.

The universities in Italy provide on-campus housing and dormitory options to international students, but students can also go for an off-campus accommodation set-up. The apartment rent inside the city center is approximately 653 EUR (57,628 INR) and outside the city center gets reduced to 509 EUR (44,921 INR). Apart from the rent, an international student can expect a monthly expenditure of 779 EUR (68,749 INR) and a family of four should have a budget of at least 2,741 EUR (2.41 lakhs INR) per month.

Off-Campus Housing Cost in Italy

The estimated monthly off-campus accommodation cost is around 1,478 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR) for international students. Some of the related accommodation expenses are as follows:

Cost of Meals in Italy

International students can expect an estimated monthly expenditure of 280 EUR (24,700 INR) on meals and groceries. The detailed breakdown of the same is given in the table below:

Transportation Cost in Italy

Italy has a highly developed transportation system which consists of various modes of transportation such as buses, metro, and trains. A few transport related expenses in Italy are tabulated below:

Medical Cost in Italy

For international students willing to pursue their studies in Italy, travel and medical insurance coverage is necessary to obtain the visa. Some of the related medical costs are given below:

Personal Expenses in Italy

Health, fitness, daily necessities, snacks, and personal hygiene products are all included in personal expenses in Italy. The following is a list of the various miscellaneous expenses associated with living in Italy:

The personal expenses also include the cost of clothing, detailed breakdown of which is given in the table below:

Cost of Living in Italy by City

Since the cost of living in Italy is highly dependent on the region, the following table represents the various costs involved in different cities of Italy:

How to reduce the overall cost of living in Italy?

• Tuition Fees: For students planning to study abroad in Italy, tuition fees cover the majority of their expenses. The tuition fees of public universities in Italy is much less as compared to the private universities. Students can make informed decisions regarding the universities, and can also take advantage of the various scholarships for international students offered by the universities in Italy

The Italian Government Scholarship 2023–2024 is a fully funded scholarship available to international students who wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree at top Italian universities. This scholarship covers the tuition fees, health insurance and also provides monthly payments of 900 EUR (~80,000 INR)

• Accommodation: The cost of accommodation depends on the location, size of residence, and whether students opt for on-campus or off-campus accommodation. On-Campus accommodations are less expensive than off-campus housing. For students opting off-campus housing, co-living is one of the options, which can significantly reduce cost per head.
• Location: The total expenditure of students greatly depends on the location of accommodation. Cities like Rome, Bologna, and Florence are among the most expensive cities in Italy. On the other hand, cities like Noto in Sicily, Merano in South Tyrol, and Promontorio del Gargano in Puglia provide much cheaper accommodation and other facilities.
• Transportation Costs: To reduce transportation costs, students can make use of the public transport in Italy like bus, train or metro. Opting for accommodation nearer to the university can also reduce the total expenditure on traveling

FAQs

Ques: Is Italy expensive to live in?

Ques: How much money do I need to make to live in Italy?

Ques: Is it cheaper to live in Italy or USA?

Ques: How much is the rent in Italy?

Ques: Is Healthcare free in Italy?