😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,536 in Milan versus $2,187 in Staunton, VA.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,851 in Milan versus $3,645 in Staunton, VA.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,165 in Milan versus $5,103 in Staunton, VA.
😐Living in Milan is roughly 16% more expensive than Staunton, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Milan89% above, Staunton, VA63% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.57€20.17
$20.38$20.38
15.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.5€78.3
$80.1$80.1
14.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.80€10.95
$11.92$11.92
7.38%
Cappuccino
$2.17€1.85
$5.93$5.93
-63.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23€2.76
$3.08$3.08
4.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47€1.26
$2.53$2.53
-41.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.76€5.79
$4.06$4.06
66.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$5.40$5.40
7.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79€1.53
$1.10$1.10
62.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.90€2.48
$3.25$3.25
-10.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.20€2.74
$6.78$6.78
-52.80%
Eggs
$4.45€3.81
$4.38$4.38
1.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.58€16.76
$11.48$11.48
70.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.90€11.04
$15.19$15.19
-15.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$24.13€20.65
$15.29$15.29
57.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.83€2.42
$6.28$6.28
-54.94%
Banana(1kg)
$2.31€1.97
$1.44$1.44
60.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.36€2.88
$5.32$5.32
-36.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.91€3.35
$6.50$6.50
-39.85%
Potato(1kg)
$2.66€2.28
$3.48$3.48
-23.56%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10€1.80
$3.72$3.72
-43.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.69€1.44
$2.02$2.02
-16.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73€0.63
$2.44$2.44
-70.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.86€5.87
$9.56$9.56
-28.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.46€8.10
$15.91$15.91
-40.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.47€2.11
$2.82$2.82
-12.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08€2.64
$4.57$4.57
-32.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.61€2.24
$2.04$2.04
27.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.82€38.37
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.08€6.91
$4.09$4.09
97.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.57€2.20
$2.51$2.51
2.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.65€33.08
$30.50$30.50
26.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.05€1.75
$0.79$0.79
159.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K€28.5K
$30.1K$30.1K
10.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6K€30.5K
$25.7K$25.7K
38.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$221€190
$176$176
25.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71€10.02
$58.7$58.7
-80.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.89€26.44
$29.93$29.93
3.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$74.1€63.4
$43.62$43.62
69.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.50€31.24
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.37€9.73
$13.47$13.47
-15.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$900€770
$2,663$2,663
-66.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.2K
$40.4K$40.4K
-59.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$112€96.0
$79.6$79.6
41.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.1€46.28
$51.1$51.1
5.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113€96.6
$101$101
11.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$170€145
$146$146
16.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,592€1,363
$1,356$1,356
17.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,128€965
$876$876
28.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,142€2,690
$2,671$2,671
17.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,088€1,787
$2,225$2,225
-6.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$11.0K€9,429
$2,261$2,261
387.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,295€4,532
$2,274$2,274
132.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Milan
Staunton, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,306€1,974
$4,225$4,225
-45.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.25
6.48
-49.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Milan: April 27, 2026
Last update for Staunton, VA: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,592 in Milan and $1,356 in Staunton, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Staunton, VA pays 83% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $92.0 in Milan vs $80.0 in Staunton, VA. Groceries flip the comparison at $399 vs $449, with Milan cheaper for home cooking.
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
Milan vs Staunton, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Staunton, VA cheaper than Milan?
Staunton, VA is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 16% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Milan or Staunton, VA?
On paper, Staunton, VA earns 83% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Milan and Staunton, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,592 in Milan versus $1,356 in Staunton, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Milan and Staunton, VA?
Shoppers in Milan pay roughly 12% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Milan vs Staunton, VA?
All in, you'll spend $2,536 per month in Milan versus $2,187 in Staunton, VA – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Milan or Staunton, VA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Staunton, VA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Milan or Staunton, VA more family-friendly?
For families, Staunton, VA is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Milan, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Milan or Staunton, VA?
Safety-wise, Milan and Staunton, VA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Staunton, VA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Milan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.