✦ Cost of living
Milan
Milan, Italy
US = 100
In plain terms: Milan is about 11% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,500/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing135+35%
- Food & groceries105+5%
- Transport80−20%
- Utilities120+20%
- Healthcare82−18%
- Goods & services106+6%
Is Milan expensive?
Yes, moderately. Milan indexes at 111 against a US average of 100 — roughly 11% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Milan ranks #22 by overall cost — 65 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Milan costs
One person
$2,950/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,140/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$7,440/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,150 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Food & groceries | $480 | $700 | $1,180 |
| Transport | $480 | $700 | $1,180 |
| Utilities | $240 | $360 | $600 |
| Healthcare | $230 | $340 | $570 |
| Goods & services | $370 | $540 | $910 |
| Total per month | $2,950 | $4,140 | $7,440 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Milan
Italy's business, finance and fashion capital — the country's best job market, at its highest prices.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- Italian
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 120 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 55/100
- Climate
- ❄ 3°C · ☀ 24°C · 130 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F/L · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Navigli · Brera · Isola
About
Italy's business, finance and fashion capital — the country's best job market, at its highest prices.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- Italian
- Coordinates
- 45.46, 9.19
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
43%
Income tax
progressive
22%
VAT / sales
24%
Corporate
26%
Capital gains
$1,900
Avg net salary
per month
Plus regional/municipal surcharges.
Flat-tax regimes for new residents and impatriates.
Visas & residency
Quota-based work permits (Decreto Flussi); new digital-nomad route.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Passive income.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~10 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
66/100
Safety
55/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
70/100
Internet
120 Mbps
Jan avg
+3 °C
Jul avg
+24 °C
Sunny days
130/yr
Walkability
85/100
Public transit
82/100
Family-friendly
64/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 60
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Milan without a car?
84/100
Car-free score
85/100
Walkability
82/100
Public transport
Yes — Milan scores 84/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Milan indexes at 80 against a US average of 100 — about 20% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Milan ranks #12 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Milan — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,500
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,150
- Inexpensive meal$16
- Monthly transit pass$42
- Utilities (monthly)$190
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Milan, IT expensive to live in?
Milan, IT's cost-of-living index is 111 (US average = 100) — about 11% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #22 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $2,950 a month and a family of four around $7,440, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Milan, IT?
Milan, IT's cost-of-living index is 111 (US average = 100) — about 11% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,500 per month.
What are the average living costs in Milan, IT?
Living costs in Milan, IT are about 11% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 111 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,500. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Milan, IT?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,500 per month, and around $1,150 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Italy?
Italy has a top income-tax rate of 43% and a VAT or sales tax of 22%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Milan, IT?
Milan, IT averages around +3 °C in January and +24 °C in July, with roughly 130 sunny days a year.
Is Milan, IT safe?
Milan, IT scores 55 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Milan, IT without a car?
Milan, IT scores 84/100 on our car-free score — 85/100 for walkability and 82/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.