Rich, delicious food, amazing wine, incredible history, spectacular views, what else would you need? Italy has the unique quality of having big, bustling cities, pretty coastal towns, and adorable countryside villages. However, many of these highly popular places in Italy can also be expensive to live in. This is why we set out to find the best cheap cities where you can live in Italy at a reasonable cost.
If you’re interested in moving to Italy in retirement, or in settling here while you work your job online, or planning on working in the education or tourism industries, and are budget-conscious, this is the list for you.
We’ve identified ten great places in Italy that have the best income-to-home price ratio, so you can enjoy the luxuries of the Italian lifestyle on any budget. These are not the most obvious, well-known major Italian cities, but rather the lesser-known gems worth discovering.
Here are the top 10 best cheap cities in Italy:
1. Alessandria, Piedmont
- Population: 91,000
- Annual income: $27,111
- Apartment price: $90,000
Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities but not too far (about an hour’s drive or train ride away from the bigger cities of Turin, Milan, and Genoa), Alessandria makes it at the top of our list of best affordable cities to live in Italy because it has the lowest annual income to average apartment price gap. However, that’s only one reason why you’d want to live here.
Alessandria sits on the Tanaro and the Bormida rivers and is known for its picturesque rolling hills, river walks, and gardens. The best part of Alessandria is the many perks of living in such an outdoorsy atmosphere. Biking, hiking, and ski resorts are all within driving distance of the city, and there are also plenty of activities in the town center as well.
You can also enjoy Piedmont’s amazing wines and fall truffles, as well as their world-famous Piedmontese cattle, which produce high-quality milk and tender, lean meat. The most famous is the Vitello Tonnato, or marinated veal covered in a creamy sauce with capers, anchovy, and tuna.
See Alessandria on the map.
2. Taranto, Puglia
- Population: 189,000
- Annual income: $25,004
- Apartment price: $92,000
Number two on our list is “the city of two seas,” Taranto, the most underrated city in the Puglia region, according to expats. It lies on a unique stretch of land between Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo (Big Sea and Little Sea). Once a major port city, this sleepy coastal town is one of the best cheap cities to live in Italy if you’re looking for a quiet and affordable life on the sea.
Despite its natural coastline beauty, historic city center, and copious amounts of busy cafes and shops, the city is not particularly popular with tourists. Unfortunately, there are lots of abandoned buildings due to the younger population leaving for bigger cities.
But with this downside comes an advantage. The cost of living here can let you easily live affordably on very little income, and you can easily immerse yourself in Italian culture. You’ll find amazing local trattorias, fresh seafood and produce caught and grown locally, and vibrant snack bars. You can also eat like a local by grabbing a Taranto panzerotto, the Puglian calzone, for only a few Euros.
If you love the sea, Taranto is the place for you. There are plenty of activities like sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing. Or, you can simply lay out on the beach.
See Taranto on the map.
3. Terni, Umbria
- Population: 107,000
- Annual income: $25,999
- Apartment price: $96,000
Nicknamed “the Manchester of Italy,” Terni was one of the first Italian cities to embrace the industrial revolution. Though most of the city is considered more modern (compared to the rest of Italy, that is), the city still boasts historically and culturally significant places like the Carsulae Archaeological Park and the grave of St. Valentine, making it one of the best cheap cities to live in Italy.
Most of the city was rebuilt in the 1950s and modernized after many of the buildings were bombed during World War II. Now, the city is full of abandoned factories, though there has been a push to restore a lot of the buildings to create modern apartments and condominiums. There are plenty of affordable housing options for expats.
The city offers all of the modern comforts but with so much more within driving and public transportation distance. Its location is on a large plane, surrounded by natural hills where the Nera and Serra rivers meet.
National parks like Parco Fluviale del Nera and Parco Fluviale del Tevere are less than an hour’s drive away. Throughout the town and in the surrounding area, there are footpaths and hiking spots. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, there’s so much to do in and around this Umbrian town.
See Terni on the map.
4. Catanzaro, Calabria
- Population: 86,000
- Annual income: $25,514
- Apartment price: $99,000
If you find your wanderlust often takes you to the sea, Catanzaro is one of the best places in Italy for you. In fact, there is a growing expat community in Catanzaro (and throughout Calabria). This is mainly because of its location, near the Ionian Sea, and the vast amount of inexpensive and beautiful properties for sale.
For Catanzaro, location is the major draw. On a sunny day, from on top of the city’s hill, you’ll be able to see the Ionian and Tyrrhenian sea. Because of this view, the locals call it “the city of two seas.” Sound familiar?
Another major perk for expats is that finding work as an English teacher is rather simple, though it doesn’t pay too well. In addition to that, though the town is relatively small, there is still a diverse and lively nightlife, with tons of pubs and clubs to visit. Their food, too, is amazing; a mix of Calabrian and Sicilian dishes.
One major downside to Calabria, though, is the lack of public transportation. The city does have two major railroad stations, but the slow and easy way of living means that public transportation within the city limits is slow and inconsistent.
However, if you love beautiful beaches, day hiking trips, and wonderful food on a budget, Catanzaro is a great place to settle.
See Catanzaro on the map.
5. Messina, Sicily
- Population: 220,000
- Annual income: $25,569
- Apartment price: $102,000
Known as the gateway to Sicily, Messina is a stunning city just off the coast of Calabria on the island of Sicily. Since its founding by the Greeks, Messina has been recognized for its value and potential as a port. If you love sunny panoramic seascapes and a cheap cost of living, this is one of the best towns in Italy for you.
The city has gone through cultural influences (well, conquering) from Byzantine, Roman, Arba, and Norman, making it one of the best towns in Italy for its historical significance. Messina is a major stop for cruises, and the town is often flooded with visitors there to enjoy the Green ruins, Roman monuments, and clean beaches.
This makes Messina a great place to settle as an expat for two reasons: there are plenty of people who speak English, and there are plenty of people who want to learn how to speak English.
But perhaps the best part of living in Messina is its great location. This beautiful city gives you access to all of the island of Sicily, away from the hustle-and-bustle of bigger towns, but with enough modernization socially and economically that you’ll be able to enjoy lots of activities in Messina.
If you’re interested in a more authentic “bigger city” experience, you can take a day trip to Palermo, or a smaller town atmosphere, you can stop at any of the smaller coastal cities along the route.
Of course, living on the coast will undoubtedly produce fresh and insanely cheap seafood. Swordfish, oysters, clams, and mussels are available at fish markets to cook at home or on the menus at the local trattorias.
See Messina on the map.
6. Perugia, Umbria
- Population: 164,000
- Annual income: $27,945
- Apartment price: $113,000
Known as a major university city, Perugia Italy has so much going on. Language exchange programs or social nights, engaging academic events, and even the rich nightlife are all things you can get involved with, making this the best city in Italy for young expats looking for a lively and social place to live.
Locals call this area of Umbria “the new Tuscany” because of the amazing wine, truffles, and other fresh produce in the area. In fact, Umbria produces some of the best wine in Italy, but without the notoriety of bigger regions like Tuscany, so you can live, drink, and eat affordably.
As a landlocked city smack-dab in the middle of Italy, they’re known for the poultry, game, and meat dishes. Porchetta is a must-have dish if you live or visit here. This is a wood-fired roasted, spiced, and stuffed pig, cut and served between two pieces of bread. It sounds simple, but the fat, spices, and crunchiness of the skin and bread create a perfectly balanced sandwich, both in flavor and consistency.
There are many artistic and cultural events and festivals, including Eurochocolate and Umbria Jazz, so it is often visited by Italians and foreigners alike. Lake Trasimeno is a popular destination nearby for kayaking or speed boating on the weekends.
Locals and other foreign nationals living in Perugia have a push to learn English, which opens up the potential for jobs and social life.
See Perugia on the map.
7. Novara, Piedmont
- Population: 102,000
- Annual income: $29,937
- Apartment price: $131,000
Another of the best cheap towns to live in Italy for the mix of modern luxuries and small-town atmosphere, Novara has plenty of amazing museums, activities, and festivals to enjoy all year round. You can visit the local cultural museums, play a round of golf at Novara Golf Club, or go hiking, horseback riding, or cycling in Orientata delle Baragge Nature Reserve.
In the winter, you can travel a couple of hours by car to amazing skiing locations.
Novara is also a great place to live if you want to work in Milan but not pay the comparatively high prices of this city. It’s less than an hour bus ride from Milan, so you can easily get in the city. The town’s location is also one of the best cities in Italy as a jump-off point north, with beautiful Swiss-Italian lakes like Como and Lugano a short train ride away, and the rest of Europe easy to get to as well.
Some say the area around Novara produces the best gorgonzola in the world, but if you’re looking for something truly unique (well, at least in Italy), you should try paniscia. This is a savory dish that starts with vegetable broth, then rice, beans, and crumbles of slow-cured duja salami are slowly added to soak up all the flavors. Every restaurant has its own variation, from different broths to soups, or even salads created from the base ingredients of beans, rice, and duja.
See Novara, Italy on the map.
8. Lecce, Puglia
- Population: 95,000
- Annual income: $27,809
- Apartment price: $127,000
Known as the best city in Puglia Italy, Lecce offers mild temperatures, amazing cultural experiences, and close proximity to the sea. On top of this, the people of Puglia are known for their hospitality. It’s a cultured city steeped in historical traditions and architecture, but able to stay with the socio-economic developments of modern times.
A mix of college students, friendly locals, and settled expats, this may be an ideal city to move for many looking for a mix of authentic Italian living and the comforts of home. Lecce offers the best of both worlds: amazing Baroque and Roman architecture and modern social luxury. The ancient, cobbled streets are full of enotecas, trattorias, and cafes.
Minutes away by car is the Adriatic coast. You can surf, swim, or just relax on the sandy beaches. The best part, though, is the cost of living. Not only are the prices of houses, apartments, and villas reasonable, but enjoying a full dinner with appetizers, a local seafood course, and wine can cost as low as $17 a person.
The area is, of course, famous for seafood, but the region also produces high-quality wine, olive oil, and amazing seasonal fruits and vegetables. You can buy Puglian wine for around $5 a bottle, or you can bring your own jug to a local winery and fill it up directly from the barrels at an even cheaper price.
See Lecce on the map.
9. Sassari, Sardinia
- Population: 122,000
- Annual income: $26,319
- Apartment price: $126,000
With stunning nature, lush green forests, and long sandy beaches, Sardinia is one of the best places in Italy to live, even if it’s a bit harder to get to than most on our list. Sassari is perfect for someone who is looking for a quiet countryside or beach town to settle down to.
Sassari, and Sardinia in general, is one of the pretties areas in Italy, and the laid-back lifestyle and amazing land and seascapes make this truly one of the gems of Italy. Many have described the town as “sleepy,” but on weekend nights, Via Rome, the city’s central street, is bustling, full of cafes and bars with outdoor patios.
In most of the towns throughout Sardinia, the beach is a 20-minute walk, and that’s no different in Sassari. Platamona is the town’s main beach, amazing for a beach walk at sunset. You can also visit all of the coastal cities in the area to enjoy the unique food, views, and vibes each town has to offer.
You should, however, have a solid grasp of Italian if you want to move to a place like Sassari. The tourist areas in Sardinia will have plenty of English speakers, but despite the amazing attributes of Sassari, this city isn’t visited frequently by tourists.
See Sassari on the map.
10. Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna
- Population: 131,000
- Annual income: $28,018
- Apartment price: $137,000
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ferrara is the best cheap city in Italy on our list if you want to immerse yourself in Roman historical culture. Ferrara is a university town with a matching youthful vibe, despite being littered with Renaissance palaces, monasteries, and medieval castles.
There’s such diversity in Emilia-Romagna. The region is one of the wealthiest in the country, though you wouldn’t know that by the cost of living in Ferrara. But with that, you can find amazing transportation connections and rich cultural aspects in the area. You’ll find plans, rolling hills, lush woods, tranquil towns, and vibrant cities all within a few hour’s drive or train ride of the city.
As a surprisingly flat city, this is the cyclist’s dream. And there’s always something going on in the city for you to take part in. In September is the Busker’s Festival, where artists and performers come to do anything from sing to dance to juggle and more. There’s a Balloon Festivals, Christmas markets, pumpkin festivals, and so many more activities throughout the year.
In the fall, you’ll get to enjoy the city’s food staple Cappellacci di Zucca. This is a zuchini-stuffed pasta served in two ways, either with butter and sage or meat ragu. And, of course, it can’t be a region in Italy without cheap wine, amazing pizza, and spectacular cheese.
See Ferrara on the map.
Italy is one of the most diverse places to live and offers expats plenty of options to meet the needs and wants of each individual. Whether you enjoy quiet beach villages, bustling university towns, ancient heritage cities, or something in between, all of the cities on our list have something to offer at affordable living prices.
Discover more amazing places in Italy:
- Bari, Italy
- Matera, Italy
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Siena, Italy
- Sorrento, Italy
- Lucca, Italy
- Positano, Italy
Methodology:
- Population data: Wikipedia
- Median income data, adjusted for inflation to 2023: Lab24
- Average apartment prices for a 1,000 sqft apartment: My Dolce Casa
