With its wealth of job opportunities and international appeal, Milan is one of the most popular Italian cities among foreigners.
According to the latest available data, the northern economic powerhouse is home to over 487,100 international residents – that’s around 15 percent of the city’s total population.
Milan is also the second-most popular Italian destination among native English speakers after Rome, with UK and US foreign residents leading the pack.
But Milan’s bustling job market and cosmopolitan life come at a price, with the metropolis consistently ranking among the most expensive Italian cities to live in recent years.
So, how much will you really need to be able to live in Lombardy’s capital?
Rent
Though Milan has long been known for its high rents, living in the city has become even more expensive over the past few years.
Currently, monthly rent comes at an average of around €22 per square metre – that’s about €4 over the regional average, and some €10 higher than national average.
That said, the asking price can be as high as €62 per square metre in the more central areas of the city, including Montenapoleone and the Quadrilatero della Moda.
According to Numbeo estimates, renting a one-bedroom flat in the city centre will set you back around €1,400 a month on average.
Though prices generally decrease the further away from the centre you go, renting the same type of flat in the outskirts will still come at an average monthly price of just over €950.
And things aren’t much better for those looking for a single room in a shared flat as this costs an average of €637 (bills excluded) in central Milan – up by about 4 percent compared to last year.
To see which areas of the city are cheaper when it comes to rent, you can refer to the following online map.
Bills
In the case of most tenancy agreements in Italy, utility bills are not included in the rent.
Though bills are naturally dependent upon a household’s individual expenditure, monthly bollette – these include gas, electricity and water bills plus waste collection fees – for an 85-square-metre flat in Milan are estimated to add up to an average of €210 – down by €42 compared to last year.
Italy’s national average sits at around €200 a month.
Groceries
Grocery prices in Milan have increased steadily over the past 10 years, with essential goods currently costing the average Milanese household nearly 25 percent more than they did in 2015.
The average Milan family spends around €462 a month on groceries, according to estimates from online investment advisor Moneyfarm.
A list of the most convenient supermarkets in Milan can be downloaded here.
Eating out
Milan residents love to dine out, with most locals indulging in a restaurant dinner at least once a week.
As in most major cities, the size of your bill will largely depend not just on the type of restaurant you choose but also on its location.
According to Numbeo estimates, a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range city restaurant will set you back €80 on average, while a regular meal in an inexpensive restaurant comes at around €20 per person.
A cappuccino in the city costs an average of €1.93 – that’s nearly 30 cents over Italy’s national average (€1.65) – whereas a 0,33-litre bottle of foreign beer costs €5 on average.
Going out, leisure and entertainment
Milan is a bustling city and, as a resident, you’ll hardly ever find yourself wanting for things to do on a weekend.
Once again, the price tag of your leisure activities will be directly dependent upon what you choose to do and where, though prices are generally in line with those of other major Italian cities.
For instance, a regular cinema ticket costs around €10, whereas a monthly membership at a sports club comes at an average price of around €68.
Transport
Public transport in Milan is among the most reliable and affordable in Italy.
The underground (metropolitana) is by far the fastest way to get around town, though trams and buses are also available.
A monthly urban ticket with ATM, Milan’s public transport operator, costs €39, whereas an annual ticket goes for €330.
But a number of generous discounts are available to low-income residents, people under 30 and students.
Despite the overall reliability and breadth of Milan’s public transport network, most locals use their own wheels to move around – there are nearly nine registered vehicles for every 10 residents in Milan.
Aside from non-negligible fuel-related expenses, parking in Milan is fairly expensive, with tariffs starting from €1.20 an hour in the outskirts but reaching €4.50 an hour in the city centre.
Access to the city centre (Area C) is only granted to some categories of low-emission vehicles and upon payment of a fee, which stands at €7.50 for anyone who lives outside the area.
Find further information on traffic rules in Milan on the town hall's official web page.
Families with children
For a family with children, there are additional costs related to schooling, especially in the early years.
Demand for public daycares (asili nido) and preschools (scuole dell’infanzia) is high in the city, meaning available spots are limited.
The cost of public daycares in Milan is income-based, and ranges from €0 to €502 per month depending on your household’s ISEE. That’s in addition to a €56 enrollment fee.
A private daycare costs an average of €812 per month.
As for preschools in the public system, you’ll have to pay €734 a year for meals, plus an annual enrolment fee of €56.
A full-time private preschool for one child costs €752 per month – around 250€ more than the national average.
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