Italy is one of the most cost-effective countries to live in. In fact, it is the fourth least expensive country in Western Europe. If you stay away from tourist hotspots and opt to live in a small city, you can find Italy to be quite affordable. Moreover, small towns are full of culture, natural beauty, delicious food and true Italian style.
The cost of living in Italy is slightly lower than in an average city. On average, hotels are cheaper than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Italy due to high ownership costs. The graphics below show how much the cost can vary depending on the type of experience you're looking for.
In a mid-range city, you can enjoy all that Italy has to offer, including great accommodations and a laid-back Italian atmosphere. It's important to remember that it's usually less expensive to stay in a locally managed establishment than in a well-known chain. While the most popular cities for tourists in Italy (Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome) are certainly more expensive than other parts of the country, it's still possible to save money when traveling around Italy. Prices will be higher in places like Venice, the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como than in less visited areas.
One of the best things about living as an international citizen in Italy is being able to enjoy all the amazing Italian food.
