๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,036 in Rome versus $1,822 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,123 in Rome versus $2,657 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,210 in Rome versus $3,493 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Living in Rome is roughly 12% more expensive than Montecatini Terme, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Rome51% above, Montecatini Terme35% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.16โฌ14.60
$20.99โฌ17.86
-18.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.1โฌ63.9
$37.99โฌ32.33
97.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.67โฌ9.93
$11.79โฌ10.04
-1.02%
Cappuccino
$1.81โฌ1.54
$1.66โฌ1.41
9.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52โฌ2.15
$2.28โฌ1.94
10.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23โฌ1.04
$1.17โฌ1.00
5.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.66โฌ4.82
$5.10โฌ4.34
10.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.33โฌ4.54
$5.70โฌ4.85
-6.49%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76โฌ1.50
$1.40โฌ1.19
25.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.17โฌ1.85
$2.75โฌ2.34
-21.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.11โฌ2.65
$2.55โฌ2.17
21.96%
Eggs
$4.55โฌ3.87
$4.61โฌ3.92
-1.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.55โฌ14.93
$10.48โฌ8.92
67.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.09โฌ10.29
$15.24โฌ12.97
-20.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.12โฌ17.12
$22.28โฌ18.96
-9.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34โฌ1.99
$2.71โฌ2.31
-13.65%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26โฌ1.93
$2.76โฌ2.35
-18.12%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฌ1.64
$3.64โฌ3.10
-46.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.67โฌ2.27
$4.02โฌ3.42
-33.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.53
$2.81โฌ2.39
-36.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85โฌ1.58
$1.77โฌ1.50
4.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30โฌ1.11
$1.56โฌ1.33
-16.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56โฌ0.47
$0.44โฌ0.38
27.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.87โฌ5.85
$6.50โฌ5.53
5.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.20โฌ4.43
$9.53โฌ8.11
-45.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92โฌ1.64
$1.07โฌ0.91
79.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67โฌ2.27
$1.52โฌ1.29
75.66%
๐ Getting Around
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$1.72โฌ1.47
4.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.43โฌ34.40
$43.01โฌ36.60
-6.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.17โฌ4.40
$6.89โฌ5.86
-24.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.53โฌ1.31
$1.12โฌ0.95
36.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.49โฌ29.35
$32.72โฌ27.85
5.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.04โฌ1.73
$2.02โฌ1.72
0.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7Kโฌ24.4K
$27.9Kโฌ23.7K
2.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.8Kโฌ25.4K
$37.5Kโฌ31.9K
-20.59%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$217โฌ185
$265โฌ226
-18.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.02โฌ9.38
$11.46โฌ9.75
-3.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.36โฌ26.69
$30.72โฌ26.15
2.08%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.6โฌ54.2
$60.1โฌ51.1
5.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.29โฌ19.82
$23.18โฌ19.72
0.47%
Cinema Ticket
$11.67โฌ9.93
$10.09โฌ8.59
15.66%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$529โฌ450
$714โฌ608
-25.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.4Kโฌ8,886
$11.3Kโฌ9,623
-7.65%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.2โฌ62.3
$98.4โฌ83.8
-25.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.65โฌ29.48
$35.21โฌ29.96
-1.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.0โฌ73.2
$103โฌ87.3
-16.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123โฌ104
$131โฌ111
-6.16%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,362โฌ1,159
$750โฌ638
81.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$866โฌ737
$585โฌ498
48.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,580โฌ2,195
$1,234โฌ1,050
109.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,615โฌ1,374
$935โฌ795
72.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,905โฌ7,578
$2,687โฌ2,287
231.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,672โฌ3,125
$2,331โฌ1,983
57.55%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Rome
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,114โฌ1,799
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.95
4
-1.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rome: April 13, 2026
Last update for Montecatini Terme: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,362 in Rome and $750 in Montecatini Terme. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $75 in Rome vs $38 in Montecatini Terme. Groceries flip the comparison at $336 vs $360, with Rome 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
Rome vs Montecatini Terme: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecatini Terme cheaper than Rome?
Montecatini Terme is cheaper overall, especially in Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 12% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,054 in Rome and $2,733 in Montecatini Terme to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Rome and Montecatini Terme?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,362 in Rome versus $750 in Montecatini Terme. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Rome and Montecatini Terme?
Shoppers in Rome pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Rome or Montecatini Terme?
Dining out is cheaper in Montecatini Terme โ a meal for two runs $38.00 versus $75.0 in Rome. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Rome or Montecatini Terme?
At $1,822 in Montecatini Terme versus $2,036 in Rome, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Montecatini Terme but tight or insufficient in Rome. The gap between the two cities makes Montecatini Terme the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Rome or Montecatini Terme more family-friendly?
For families, Montecatini Terme is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Rome, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Rome or Montecatini Terme?
Safety-wise, Rome and Montecatini Terme 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 Montecatini Terme gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 12% less than in Rome. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.