How much should I budget for living expenses in Rome?
Hi…
I’m Marko Hietanen from Finnland. I’m planning a trip to Rome. I thought the best way to cruise around Rome would be to have some knowledge of the language. Even though I speak English, I think it’s best if I know some Italian. So why not go down to Italy to learn while traveling. Now that I’m trying to figure out my expenses though, I kept asking myself the question, how much should I budget for living expenses in Rome?Hope you can answer my question soon since I may traveling to Rome in a month or two…
Thanks on advance.
Marko
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Hi Marko…
Well, this is a hard question to answer as naturally everyone’s spending habits are different, however, below are some average prices for living expenses in Rome.
Rome doesn’t have to be an expensive place to live, providing you do as the locals do and shop at the market (not Supermarkets but food markets) as cooking at home will substantially lower your costs.
Pizza is a cheap way to eat out – the average price for pizza is around 7 euro (give or take), a glass of wine at around 5 euro and you can eat for around 10-15 euros (cheaper in some places).
The next best thing to a cheap Pizzeria is aperativo. Aperativo has become very fashionable in Italy and is served in Bar’s all over Rome. Usually, the Bar will have a buffet of cold / and sometimes hot dishes. The cost? It varies but usually will cost you anywhere from 5-8 euro which also includes a glass of wine or beer. If you are looking for a more substantial meal, budget around 25-30 euros for starters and main course (not including wine).
For the moment, let’s leave accommodation out of the equation, so taking into consideration monthly expenses such as food, going out, some sites, mobile phone recharge, monthly transport etc, you are probably looking at around 450 euros per month (this is just estimate and does not include alcoholic beverages and cover charges into Nightclubs).
Nightclubs can add to your expenses as many of the large and more popular clubs in Rome have a cover charge of around 15-20 euros, if you add drinks on top of that, too many nights out can really break the budget. A great option is heading to bar (there are hundreds in Rome), where you can sit and drink in a great atmosphere and with reasonably priced drinks.
I hope this information is useful to you. Don’t hesitate to ask if you still have some doubts. You can use the same form you used before: “Ask a Question about Rome“
Regards from Rome!
Carlie.
P.S. @ Everyone! Leave a comment if you have more information on how to budget your expenses in Rome, or you have any tips for cheaper solutions on student living. This F.A.Q. forum is an important resource for all those wanting to come to Rome.
Hi,
I am a fourth year undergraduate student from Turkey. Recently, I received an admission from an Italian master program from University Carli Guido. Therefore, before coming to Rome I would like to clear out in my mind some important issues about life in Rome. Firstly, what is the general life expenses for a student in Rome? How about accomodation costs?
Thank you for your helpfulness.
Best regards.
Hi Ensari,
I will take your questions into consideration. I think they will be two different blogposts. I’ll contact you directly and tell you when is published.
Hi Ensari,
Roma is a big city and as many capitals in the world it is expensive especially for what concerns the accommodation costs. A room may cost to you 500 euros or more. Instead the food is cheaper than many other cities. Other stuffs, like going out, dancing, sports, etc.. Well it is depends on where you go and whether you go. I think that if you have been admitted to the Guido Carli, i.e. the LUISS university, you shouldn’t get worried about costs. Rome is a great city to live and the LUISS is a famous university. It is worth coming to Rome.
Nazario
Hi,
I have recently been admitted to Instituto Europeo Di Design in Rome. I would like to know how good the university is and whether getting jobs is easy after completing a masters from the university.I would also like to know the per month living costs in Rome.
To eat on a budget in rome you can also take a kebab or a slice of pizza in places called pizza a taglio or rosticcerie!
for more tips you can have a look at my website:
http://www.budgetfoodinrome.com
have a nie day!
I am considering vacationing to rome for a year and am trying to get an idea of how to budget. I want to go there to live as the locals nothing fancy. Experience Rome in its raw form. Any suggestions?
Hello…
I’d like to apply architecture firm in rome as architect assistant (famous architect but they dont ask lot of application requirements). They ask about the expected salary, is anybody could tell me how much living expense (plus a room to live) in rome/month?any sugestion for the minimum salary??thanks..
Hi there… thank you for you message. The prices of rooms in Rome are about 400-600euros/month (single room). If you want an appartment you have to calculate about 900-1500euros/month.
The cost for living depens on you..how often you go out, if you eat lunch out or if you prepare at home…It’s very difficult to give you any sugestion for the salary… also I don’t know how much normally the architecutres earn.
I hope you when you will be in Rome you will also come to our school for learning some Italian!
Best regards,
Viola Laett
Hi, the price of the university depends on how much you earn (for the pubblic ones).It’s better for you to send an email to them (architecture has the test to enter). In Rome you can choose a studio(very expensive), a single room or a double room. The price depends on the neighbourhood in which the appartamnete is. Check them on sites like http://www.portaportese.it or http://www.easystanza.it.
Bye,
Maria Luce
The prices van be very difficult to manage if you don’t have enough money. I suppose this can be a good reason to try to find the best accommodation and the cheapest places to buy your food. However, this financial crisis seems to be good because the prices for locations are smaller.