For one person, living is cheaper in San Marino: $1,376 a month against $1,838 in Italy, rent and utilities included – about $5,500 less a year. The total is higher in Italy despite lower rent and utilities.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in San Marino and in Italy actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,375 in San Marino versus $1,838 in Italy.
San Marino $1,375
Italy $1,838
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,854 in San Marino versus $2,793 in Italy.
San Marino $1,854
Italy $2,793
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,332 in San Marino versus $3,748 in Italy.
San Marino $2,332
Italy $3,748
📏
Internal cost variation is higher in Italy: monthly costs span $1,028 to $2,531, compared to $248–$1,146 in San Marino. City choice carries more weight in Italy.
🌍
Living in San Marino costs about 25% less than in Italy on average.
📊
Both countries sit above the global median: San Marino 3% above, Italy 37% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.14€15.28
$20.52€18.29
-16.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.2€50.1
$79.8€71.1
-29.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.40€13.73
$11.30€10.07
36.28%
Cappuccino
$1.71€1.53
$2.04€1.82
-16.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27€2.92
$2.98€2.66
9.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54€1.37
$1.35€1.21
14.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.95€5.31
$5.56€4.96
7.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.58€5.86
$5.50€4.90
19.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.64€1.46
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.31€2.06
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.93€2.61
-
Eggs
-
$4.10€3.66
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$17.49€15.60
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$12.66€11.28
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$20.70€18.46
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.53€2.26
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.17€1.93
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.61€2.33
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$3.28€2.93
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.95€1.73
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.84€1.64
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.57€1.40
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.51€0.45
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$6.83€6.09
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.95€7.09
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88€1.68
$1.75€1.56
7.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.44€2.18
-
🚌 Getting Around
San Marino
Italy
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.63€1.46
$1.88€1.68
-13.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.97€24.94
$42.69€38.06
-34.48%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.52€4.92
$5.77€5.14
-4.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.50€1.34
$1.72€1.53
-12.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.62€21.95
$34.10€30.40
-27.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.85€1.65
$2.11€1.88
-12.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$37.1K€33.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$36.0K€32.1K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$114€101
$223€198
-49.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.01€19.62
$11.53€10.28
90.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.89€30.22
$31.07€27.70
9.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$54.0€48.14
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.83€22.14
$23.70€21.13
4.77%
Cinema Ticket
-
$10.81€9.64
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$551€491
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$11.6K€10.4K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.6€71.0
$91.3€81.4
-12.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.22€29.61
$38.49€34.32
-13.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$104€92.9
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.4€49.41
$130€116
-57.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Marino
Italy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$775€691
$797€710
-2.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$794€708
$624€556
27.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,003€895
$1,406€1,254
-28.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,010€901
$1,053€939
-4.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,680€3,281
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,261€2,016
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Marino
Italy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,792€3,381
$1,925€1,717
96.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
3.56
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for San Marino: October 3, 2026
Last update for Italy: October 6, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
San Marino
–
Italy
$624 34.3%
🛒Groceries & Markets
San Marino
–
Italy
$349 19.2%
🍽Eating Out
San Marino
–
Italy
$279 15.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Marino
–
Italy
$265 14.6%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
San Marino
–
Italy
$164 9%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
San Marino
–
Italy
$76 4.2%
🚌Getting Around
San Marino
–
Italy
$65 3.6%
🏠Accommodation & Living
San Marino
–
Italy
$1.1K 27.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
San Marino
–
Italy
$827 21.8%
🍽Eating Out
San Marino
–
Italy
$966 25.5%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Marino
–
Italy
$277 7.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
San Marino
–
Italy
$364 9.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
San Marino
–
Italy
$175 4.6%
🚌Getting Around
San Marino
–
Italy
$133 3.5%
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $394 in San Marino, $730 in Italy. Capital cities: $789 in San Marino vs $1,205 in Rome.
💰National salary averages: $3,787 in San Marino, $1,908 in Italy. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 85% higher in Italy.
⭐Dining out costs 25% more in Italy.
⭐Public transport is 200% more expensive in Italy.
⭐Salaries are 98% higher in San Marino, and purchasing power comes out stronger in San Marino.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
San Marino vs Italy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Italy and San Marino?
At $1,838 per month in Italy and $1,375 in San Marino, there's a 34% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in San Marino: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $730 in Italy and $394 in San Marino. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget in Italy or in San Marino?
In San Marino, $2,000 covers most cities easily; in Italy it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Italy or to San Marino?
It depends on what you're after: San Marino wins on affordability; Italy may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.
San Marino vs other spots: cost of living compared