Cost of Living Comparison Between Rome and PadovaCost of Living Comparison Between Rome and Padova
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,066 in Rome versus $2,184 in Padova.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,252 in Rome versus $3,277 in Padova.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,438 in Rome versus $4,371 in Padova.
🌍Living in Rome costs roughly 5% less than in Padova, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Rome50% above, Padova58% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rome
Padova
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.60€15.17
$22.82€19.67
-22.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.9€59.4
$84.3€72.7
-18.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.57€9.97
$13.68€11.79
-15.42%
Cappuccino
$2.25€1.94
$2.10€1.81
7.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11€2.68
$3.42€2.95
-9.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.38€1.19
8.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.91€5.09
$7.01€6.05
-15.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81€5.87
$5.22€4.50
30.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rome
Padova
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78€1.53
$1.61€1.39
10.56%
White Bread(500g)
$2.28€1.96
$2.53€2.19
-9.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.12€2.69
$3.38€2.92
-7.69%
Eggs
$4.51€3.89
$4.73€4.08
-4.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.13€13.04
$18.09€15.60
-16.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.46€10.74
$13.48€11.62
-7.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.91€16.30
$20.81€17.93
-9.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65€2.28
$2.60€2.24
1.92%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37€2.04
$2.42€2.08
-2.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.60€2.24
$2.68€2.31
-2.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.37€2.05
$3.58€3.09
-33.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.45€1.25
$2.14€1.84
-32.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.61€1.39
$2.12€1.83
-24.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43€1.23
$1.30€1.12
10.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51€0.44
$0.42€0.36
21.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.42€6.40
$7.54€6.50
-1.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16€3.59
$7.11€6.13
-41.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62€1.39
$1.87€1.61
-13.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71€2.34
$2.69€2.32
0.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Rome
Padova
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.77€1.52
$1.99€1.72
-11.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.05€34.53
$53.3€45.96
-24.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.63€6.58
$11.55€9.95
-33.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.71€1.47
$2.38€2.05
-28.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.52€29.76
$41.35€35.64
-16.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.79
$2.11€1.81
-1.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8K€31.8K
$37.4K€32.2K
-1.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5K€31.5K
$36.1K€31.1K
1.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rome
Padova
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$215€185
$252€217
-14.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.52€10.80
$10.77€9.29
16.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.79€27.40
$29.33€25.28
8.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rome
Padova
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$70.0€60.3
$58.7€50.6
19.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.16€21.69
$29.23€25.20
-13.92%
Cinema Ticket
$11.46€9.88
$11.76€10.14
-2.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rome
Padova
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$516€444
$650€560
-20.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9K€15.4K
$11.1K€9,530
61.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rome
Padova
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.8€63.6
$73.1€63.0
0.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.78€33.43
$42.28€36.45
-8.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.9€75.8
$122€106
-28.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€105
$123€106
-0.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rome
Padova
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,247€1,075
$1,138€981
9.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$887€765
$852€734
4.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,608€2,248
$1,848€1,593
41.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,733€1,494
$1,344€1,158
28.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,745€7,538
$4,092€3,527
113.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,273€2,821
$2,281€1,967
43.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rome
Padova
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,963€1,692
$2,028€1,748
-3.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.52
3.26
7.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rome: September 5, 2026
Last update for Padova: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,247 in Rome and $1,138 in Padova. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Padova pays 3% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $69.0 in Rome vs $84.0 in Padova for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $326 vs $364 per month, with Rome cheaper across the board.
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 Padova: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rome and in Padova?
Rome and Padova differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($2,066 vs $2,184 including rent). Rome is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 3% lower in Padova. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Rome and in Padova?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,247 in Rome versus $1,138 in Padova. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Padova. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Rome – a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $84.0 in Padova. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,066 in Rome versus $2,184 in Padova, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Rome but tight or insufficient in Padova. The gap between the two cities makes Rome the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Rome and Padova?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Rome or Padova safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Rome and Padova are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Rome or Padova?
Expats usually find Rome gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Padova. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.