Cost of Living Comparison Between Matera and MilanCost of Living Comparison Between Matera and Milan
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $1,493 per month in Matera vs $2,508 in Milan, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,276 per month in Matera vs $3,853 in Milan, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,060 per month in Matera vs $5,197 in Milan, rent included.
🙂Matera is about 40% cheaper than Milan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Matera and Milan sit above the global median – Matera by 11%, Milan by 87%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Matera
Milan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.69€11.78
$23.06€19.84
-40.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.2€59.5
$92.1€79.2
-24.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.42€9.83
$12.73€10.95
-10.29%
Cappuccino
$2.10€1.81
$2.17€1.87
-3.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08€1.79
$3.23€2.78
-35.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07€0.92
$1.50€1.29
-28.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61€3.96
$7.11€6.11
-35.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.54€3.90
$5.71€4.92
-20.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Matera
Milan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28€1.10
$1.84€1.58
-30.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.73€1.48
$2.81€2.42
-38.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.92€2.52
$3.34€2.87
-12.57%
Eggs
$3.76€3.24
$4.31€3.70
-12.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.64€12.59
$19.74€16.98
-25.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.15€8.73
$13.02€11.20
-22.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.51€14.20
$24.69€21.24
-33.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.92€2.51
$2.84€2.45
2.82%
Banana(1kg)
$2.30€1.98
$2.31€1.99
-0.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.13€0.97
$3.37€2.90
-66.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.69€3.18
$3.94€3.39
-6.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.93€1.66
$2.59€2.23
-25.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77€1.52
$2.19€1.88
-19.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49€1.28
$1.63€1.40
-8.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50€0.43
$0.70€0.60
-28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.63€5.70
$6.88€5.91
-3.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.35€7.18
$9.11€7.83
-8.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.67€2.30
$2.35€2.02
13.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44€2.96
$3.00€2.58
14.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Matera
Milan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.76€1.51
$2.49€2.14
-29.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.12€37.95
$45.58€39.21
-3.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.64€4.85
$8.13€6.99
-30.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.16€1.86
$2.63€2.26
-17.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.20€30.28
$39.61€34.08
-11.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.07€1.78
$2.05€1.76
0.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K€31.3K
$33.4K€28.8K
9.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9K€30.0K
$36.4K€31.3K
-4.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Matera
Milan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€147
$216€185
-20.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.03€11.20
$11.71€10.07
11.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.23€28.58
$30.47€26.21
9.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Matera
Milan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.2€46.64
$75.1€64.6
-27.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.44€20.17
$37.13€31.94
-36.87%
Cinema Ticket
$11.45€9.85
$11.74€10.10
-2.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Matera
Milan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$386€332
$875€753
-55.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,172€5,309
$16.7K€14.4K
-63.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Matera
Milan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$94.3€81.1
$115€99.0
-18.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.38€37.32
$53.2€45.80
-18.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101€87.2
$115€98.9
-11.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145€125
$171€147
-14.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Matera
Milan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$628€540
$1,612€1,387
-61.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$436€375
$1,137€978
-61.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$926€796
$3,138€2,699
-70.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$662€569
$2,084€1,793
-68.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,898€2,493
$11.1K€9,505
-73.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,382€2,909
$5,565€4,787
-39.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Matera
Milan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,768€1,521
$2,270€1,953
-22.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.04
3.25
24.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Matera: May 30, 2026
Last update for Milan: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $628 in Matera versus $1,612 in Milan. 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 28% higher in Milan, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Matera versus $92.0 in Milan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $311 vs $400 – making Matera 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
Matera vs Milan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Matera or Milan?
Milan costs about 68% more than Matera, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Matera vs Milan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,239 per month in Matera and $3,762 in Milan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Matera or Milan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Matera, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Matera vs Milan?
Public transport costs about 3% less in Matera. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Matera and Milan?
Kindergarten costs $386 per month in Matera and $875 in Milan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Matera or Milan?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Matera, where all-in costs run around $1,493, than in Milan at $2,508. In Matera it covers expenses comfortably, while in Milan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Matera or Milan?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Matera costs $1,493 versus $2,508 in Milan. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Matera compared to Milan?
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.
Should I move to Matera or Milan?
If budget matters most, go with Matera. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Milan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.