Cost of living

Average household spending is highest in the North-east and Centre and lowest in the South and the islands. Rent and energy weigh most in the big cities; food and transport everywhere. ISTAT and OMI are the official sources for comparison.

Italy

ATP offers reduced passes for students under 28, priced by ISEE, for students aged 28 to 35 and for over-65s; the ordinary monthly pass is transferable and can be shared within a family. The Comune pays the regional rent contribution to tenants whose rent is high relative to their ISEE. Rents, OMI prices and the pass price are in the data.

Sassari

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Oristano a municipal IRPEF surcharge in four brackets, from 0.69% (up to 15,000 euros) to 0.80% (above 50,000), with an exemption up to 10,000 euros. The sheet flags a rate entered ex officio. Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Oristano

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Nuoro a municipal IRPEF surcharge in four brackets, from 0.45% (up to 15,000 euros) to 0.80% (above 50,000), with an exemption up to 7,999.99 euros. The sheet flags a rate entered ex officio. Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Nuoro

The highest rents in Sardinia and among the highest in the South, driven by students, tourism and limited supply in the historic quarters and at the Poetto; lower prices in Pirri and the hinterland. Groceries and restaurants average, with an island surcharge on some goods. Cheap CTM pass; travel to the mainland expensive outside the territorial continuity scheme.

Cagliari

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Trapani a single 0.8% rate of the municipal IRPEF surcharge, with an exemption up to 10,000 euros of taxable income (resolution no. 30 of 28 March 2019, confirmed). Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Trapani

Since 2013 Siracusa has applied the municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%. For SAIS city buses there are weekly, monthly, Under 20 and annual passes; with regional funds the Comune has financed a free monthly pass for resident students under 20 below an ISEE threshold. For TARI, the discount linked to the weighing waste stations counts.

Syracuse

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Ragusa a four-band municipal IRPEF surcharge, from 0.60% up to 15,000 euros to 0.80% above 50,000 euros (resolution no. 325 of 23 September 2024). The municipality applies the tourist tax and offers a free urban pass to students under 20 with ISEE up to 25,000 euros.

Ragusa

Housing cheaper than in the big Centre-North cities, but the historic centre is rising fast because of short-term lets and Via Libertà costs as much as a northern city. Cheap street food and markets; low-cost AMAT pass. Insularity weighs on some goods and on travel; a car costs in time and parking.

Palermo

Rents and house prices for the central zone are in the data block. ATM sells tickets valid 100 minutes on buses and trams, day, 72-hour and 7-day tickets, and monthly, quarterly and annual passes, with concessions for students, minimum-pension retirees, the unemployed and workers under company agreements. An integrated ticket combines ATM, the hydrofoil to Reggio and ATAM buses.

Messina

For 2025 the Finance Department reports for Enna a single 0.8% municipal IRPEF surcharge, with an exemption for taxable income up to 22,999.99 euros; the rate was entered ex officio. Non-residents staying overnight pay the tourist tax.

Enna

Rents and house prices for the central zone are in the data block. For transport, AMTS sells 90-minute and day tickets and monthly and annual passes; the "MetroBus City" pass is also valid on the metro; the Alibus to the airport has a separate ticket.

Catania

For 2025 the Finance Department reports for Caltanissetta a single 0.8% municipal IRPEF surcharge, with no exemption threshold, entered ex officio. Blue-line parking is also paid with the ParkingMyCar app; rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Caltanissetta

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Agrigento a single 0.8% rate of the municipal IRPEF surcharge, with an exemption for taxable incomes up to 7,499.99 euros (resolution no. 126 of 27 September 2012, confirmed). Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Agrigento

For 2025 the Finance Department reports for Vibo Valentia a single 1.2% municipal IRPEF surcharge, with an exemption for taxable income up to 7,000 euros (resolution no. 80 of 12-12-2024, confirmed). Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Vibo Valentia

Reggio Calabria applies the municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%, confirmed every year under the 2019 resolution. TARI, IMU and the single property fee are handled by the Comune's Tax Department; bills and appointments go through the portal of the in-house company Hermes Servizi Metropolitani. OMI rents and prices for the central area are in the data.

Reggio Calabria

Among Italy's cheapest regional capitals for housing, with prices at the Lido rising in summer. Cheap restaurants and groceries. The heavy item is the car: the city is spread over three distant, steep nuclei and public transport covers little in the evening. Low-cost AMC pass.

Catanzaro

For 2026 the Finance Department reports for Crotone a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8% (resolution no. 12 of 19 March 2026, confirming); the sheet shows no exemption threshold. Rents and prices are in the data.

Crotone

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Cosenza a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8% (resolution no. 63 of 20 December 2024, confirming existing rates); the entry gives no exemption threshold. Residents can request authorisation to park in the blue zones of their sector; costs are on the forms. Rents and prices are in the data.

Cosenza

Among Italy's cheapest regional capitals for housing; eating out and groceries are cheap. Heating for six months a year and the car, needed to move outside the centre and around the region, weigh instead. Coworking and services are limited.

Potenza

For 2025 the municipality of Matera applies a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%; taxable incomes up to 10,000 euros are exempt (resolution no. 90 of 10 December 2024, confirming existing rates). The 2026 waste-tax (TARI) payment notice is on Matera Digitale. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Matera

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Trani a graduated municipal IRPEF surcharge: 0.70% up to 15,000 euros, 0.75% up to 28,000, 0.80% above; an exemption up to 7,999.99 euros. The page flags an ex officio entry. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Trani

For 2026 Taranto confirmed the municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%. Kyma Mobilità issues residents of the paid-parking zones a permit for one car per household, with no fee if requested online. TARI is paid to the Comune in three advance instalments and a balance. OMI rents and prices for the central area and the bus pass are in the data.

Taranto

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Lecce a graduated municipal IRPEF surcharge: 0.8% up to 28,000 euros of income, 1.2% above; an exemption for incomes up to 12,500 euros and for households with a member receiving an attendance allowance, up to 28,000 euros. Rents and prices are in the data.

Lecce

Foggia levies a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single 0.8% rate. ATAF offers discounted passes for students, minimum-pension holders, people with disabilities and low ISEE incomes, and runs pay parking with an annual residents' permit. Rents, OMI prices and the monthly pass are in the data.

Foggia

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Brindisi a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 1.2%, with an exemption for taxable incomes up to 10,000 euros (resolution no. 114 of 21 December 2023, confirming existing rates). The municipality has a tourist-tax page. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Brindisi

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Barletta a graduated municipal IRPEF surcharge: 0.5% up to 28,000 euros, 0.79% up to 50,000, 0.8% above; an exemption for taxable income up to 9,000 euros. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Barletta

Rents and house prices below Rome, Milan and Bologna, but rising in the Murat centre, the old town and along the seafront because of short-term lets. Eating out and groceries cost less than in the North. The bus pass is cheap; a car weighs on those living outside the centre.

Bari

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Andria a single rate of 0.8% and an exemption for taxable income up to 7,500 euros. The page notes that the rate was entered ex officio. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Andria

Rents and purchase prices in the central zone are in the data below. Buses apply UnicoCampania fares; public lifts and escalators are almost all free. Parking in Salerno Mobilità areas is paid, with permits for ZPRU residents. Non-residents staying overnight pay the tourist tax, increased from 1 June 2026.

Salerno

Naples costs less than the big northern cities for rent, groceries and eating out, but the old centre and the seaside districts have seen sharp rises with tourism. Integrated public transport is cheap. The tourist tax rose in early 2026 and again in March 2026. The cheapest zones are the eastern and northern outskirts and the Fuorigrotta-Soccavo belt.

Naples

For 2025 the Comune levies a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single 0.8% rate, with an exemption for taxable incomes up to €7,499.99. Residents can check their local tax position through the online Sportello del Contribuente and can apply for a permit to park in pay zones. OMI rents and prices are in the data.

Giugliano in Campania

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists a municipal IRPEF surcharge for Caserta at a single rate of 0.8%; the sheet shows no exemption thresholds. Rents, prices per square metre and the transport pass are in the data.

Caserta

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists a single municipal IRPEF surcharge of 0.8% for Benevento. The table notes that the rate was not sent by the municipality but entered ex officio, confirming resolution no. 22 of 14 July 2011. Rents, prices and the transport pass are in the data.

Benevento

For 2025 the Department of Finance lists for Avellino a municipal IRPEF surcharge with a single rate and an exemption for taxable incomes up to 20,000 euros, confirming resolution no. 59 of 13 December 2024. Rents, prices and the pass are in the data.

Avellino

For 2025 the Finance Department reports for Isernia a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%, with no exemption threshold shown; the sheet notes that the rate was not sent by the Comune and was entered ex officio. Rents and prices are in the data.

Isernia

Campobasso has rents, house prices and restaurant prices among the lowest of Italy's regional capitals. Heating, for the long winter, and the car, needed to move outside the city, weigh more. The Murat centre is the most sought-after zone; the old town and the outer districts are the cheapest.

Campobasso

For 2025 the Finance Department lists a single municipal IRPEF rate of 0.8% for Teramo, with an exemption up to 10,000.00 euro of taxable income; the sheet states that the rate was entered ex officio. Rents, prices and the transit pass are in the data.

Teramo

In Pescara, TARI and IMU paperwork is filed with Adriatica Risorse at via Venezia 10. For below-market rents, ATER keeps an open ranking for canone concordato homes; in 2026 the Comune published a call for public housing. Rents, OMI prices and the pass price are in the data.

Pescara

For 2025 the Finance Department reports for Chieti a municipal IRPEF surcharge at a single rate of 0.8%, with no exemption threshold shown; the sheet notes that the rate was not sent by the Comune and was entered ex officio. Rents and prices are in the data.

Chieti