Cost of living in Rome: Everything you need to know

Cost of living in Rome: Everything you need to know

The “eternal city” is the beating heart of Italy. Many young people and students move to this place every year, ready to start a new life. Rome is a city full of inspiration especially for young people looking for a job or a new place to stay. At first, it will feel difficult to settle in but don’t worry is normal and in the end, you will fall in love! Sometimes the city will feel merciless due to the tourists swarming throughout the city and the heavy traffic. But Rome is a city that has redeeming features. In a short time, you will find yourself walking in ancient history and through many works of art. Each day will be a new adventure and you will never get bored. Let’s see the cost of living in Rome and everything you need to know about it.

How much does it cost to live in Rome?

Roman coins by Papazachariasa – Pixabay

Living in the “Eternal City” can seem very expensive. But it all depends on your lifestyle and how much you are willing to “give up” to live there. Everything will be related to your job or scholarship if you are a student and the area where you are going to live. Before moving, do your research. Online you will find many boys and girls like you ready to share a room or apartment. Sharing a room with a friend or travel fellow will save you money and later you’ll be able to move wherever you like. In general, the cost of living in Rome is high but it is much lower in the surrounding areas.

Rent expenses

 Money by JHertle – Pixabay

In general, monthly prices are very different:

• 600/1200 euros for an apartment (bills not included);
• 500/1000 euros for a studio flat (bills not included);
• 300/500 euros for a room (bills not included).

As I told you earlier, sharing the apartment or room with someone will help you save money. Whether it’s a room or an apartment, it doesn’t matter, you must consider the area. Usually, the students prefer the Tiburtina, Pigneto or San Lorenzo. The area is located near the college campus and there you will find many rooms for rent at low prices. The central areas in the heart of Rome are the most expensive. Yet,  Montesacro or Nuovo Salario district have reasonable costs and are well connected with other areas. To the north-east of Rome, you will find cheap rentals in areas such as Prenestino or Collatino. In Castelverd and Carcolle, for example, you will find studio apartments for 300 euros per month. Other areas to look out for are Don Bosco, Tuscolano, Cinecittà and Casalotti.

Transportation expenses

Bus in Rome by BlackCat – Pixabay

I advise you to look for areas that are connected to the subway, in this way it will be easier for you to move around the city.  Transportation in Rome is complex, especially during rush hour. Very often you will find yourself waiting for buses and arriving late. For this reason, I recommend that you always go out 1 hour earlier than expected to be ahead. In order to use all means of transport, I recommend a monthly pass. If you want to save money because you are staying for a long time then opt for the annual pass. Here are the rates taken from the ATAC website for the year 2020:

• Personal monthly pass € 35.00 (cannot be lent to others);
• Impersonal monthly pass: € 53.00 (can be lent to others and thus shared);
• Annual ordinary pass: € 250.00.

To buy them, you must go personally to the ATAC office, you will find it at each subway stop.

Food expenses

Food market in Rome by NeilMorrel – Pixabay

Once in Rome, you will certainly want to try traditional cuisine and different places. But don’t get carried away! Pizzerias, restaurants, pubs and aperitifs have a certain price, at the end of the month, you will find yourself without money. In an average roman restaurant, you will pay about 60.00 euros for two people, with only three courses. Instead, the meal in a cheap restaurant will be around € 15.00 per person. In every area and neighbourhood of Rome, there are supermarkets with weekly offers. Roman supermarkets are full of offers, in some, you will often find low and fixed costs and cheap products. Let’s see the prices of some basic foods that you will find generally:

• Milk: € 1.39;
• Bread: € 1.83;
• Water: 58 cents;
• Potatoes: € 1.48 per kg;
• Rice: € 2.25 per kg.

The trick to spending little is to find supermarkets that offer the lowest prices and to buy what you need from there. To save money, find their flyers and as soon as you can cook something Italian for yourself with your own hands. Cooking at home is relaxing and will help you make friends with your flatmates!

Bills and other expenses

Money by Juraj Varga Coyote – Pixabay

As for the basic bills, you must consider electricity, heating, air conditioning, water and also garbage. For an 85 square meter apartment, you will spend about € 180.00 per month.  As for the Italian rechargeable card to operate your mobile phone, it all depends on the rate you choose but in general 10 or 15 € per month. Internet for your laptop with unlimited data or optic fibre/adsl will cost you around € 30.00 per month. If you have rented a room in an entire apartment, the expenses will be shared between all the flatmates. If you have rented an entire apartment for you, maybe you can ask a friend to live with you to save and share all the expenses! Remember that everything must be regular and always ask the owner of your apartment if you can have a tenant.

Sales season

Clothes by Pexels – Pixabay

If you need clothing, new shoes, accessories, hi-tech or furniture for your room or apartment, I recommend waiting for the sales. Sure, you’ll find yourself queuing up in shopping malls, but in the end, your wallet will thank you. If you have urgent needs then online you will find many offers or groups in which little-used products are sold at a good price. But don’t forget, Rome is full of local markets where you can find good deals and everything you need.