Cost of Living Comparison Between Lucca and RomeCost of Living Comparison Between Lucca and Rome
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,069 per month in Lucca vs $2,031 in Rome, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,076 per month in Lucca vs $3,167 in Rome, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,082 per month in Lucca vs $4,304 in Rome, rent included.
😐Lucca costs about 2% more than Rome, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lucca and Rome sit above the global median – Lucca by 51%, Rome by 48%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.67€15.19
$17.45€15.00
1.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.9€69.5
$70.9€61.0
13.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.01€10.33
$11.79€10.13
1.87%
Cappuccino
$2.09€1.80
$2.26€1.94
-7.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11€2.67
$3.10€2.67
0.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43€1.23
$1.55€1.33
-7.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.81€5.85
$5.86€5.03
16.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.34€4.59
$6.82€5.86
-21.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78€1.53
$1.80€1.55
-1.11%
White Bread(500g)
$2.57€2.21
$2.28€1.96
12.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.25€2.79
$3.25€2.79
-
Eggs
$4.79€4.12
$4.74€4.07
1.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.35€15.78
$15.31€13.16
19.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.00€12.89
$12.46€10.71
20.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.23€18.25
$19.09€16.41
11.21%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73€2.34
$2.67€2.30
2.25%
Banana(1kg)
$2.15€1.85
$2.47€2.13
-12.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.04€2.61
$2.56€2.21
18.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.45€2.97
$2.44€2.09
41.39%
Potato(1kg)
$2.13€1.83
$1.46€1.25
45.89%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26€1.94
$1.61€1.39
40.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94€1.67
$1.44€1.23
34.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58€0.50
$0.51€0.43
13.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.21€6.20
$7.07€6.08
1.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.10€6.96
$4.54€3.91
78.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.41€2.08
$1.73€1.49
39.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13€2.69
$2.93€2.52
6.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Lucca
Rome
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.95€1.67
$1.69€1.45
15.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.45€30.47
$40.92€35.18
-13.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.85€5.03
$7.64€6.57
-23.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.72€1.48
$1.78€1.53
-3.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.85€24.80
$34.61€29.76
-16.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.10€1.80
$2.05€1.77
2.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1K€31.9K
$37.1K€31.9K
-0.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.0K€30.9K
$36.0K€30.9K
0.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$336€289
$220€189
52.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.74€10.95
$12.41€10.67
2.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.91€28.29
$31.36€26.96
4.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$69.8€60.0
$68.4€58.8
1.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.3€45.78
$25.35€21.79
110.06%
Cinema Ticket
$9.74€8.38
$11.50€9.89
-15.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$459€395
$504€433
-8.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K€10.1K
$17.4K€15.0K
-32.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107€91.7
$74.4€64.0
43.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.86€42.01
$37.93€32.61
28.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.1€82.6
$87.3€75.0
10.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$173€149
$124€107
39.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lucca
Rome
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825€709
$1,244€1,070
-33.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$690€593
$887€762
-22.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,483€1,275
$2,637€2,267
-43.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,046€899
$1,795€1,543
-41.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,130€3,551
$8,673€7,457
-52.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,219€1,908
$3,283€2,822
-32.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lucca
Rome
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,863€1,602
$1,947€1,674
-4.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.7
3.52
5.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lucca: August 31, 2026
Last update for Rome: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $825 in Lucca versus $1,244 in Rome. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 4% higher in Rome, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Lucca versus $71.0 in Rome. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $386 vs $332 – making Rome the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Lucca vs Rome: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rome cheaper than Lucca?
Yes – Lucca is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,104 per month in Lucca and $3,046 in Rome. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rome, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Lucca and in Rome?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,069 in Lucca and $2,031 in Rome. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 15% less in Rome. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Lucca or in Rome?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Rome, where all-in costs run around $2,031, than in Lucca at $2,069. In Rome it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lucca it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Lucca or Rome more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Rome – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Lucca or Rome?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Rome. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lucca makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.