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City in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Cost of living in Bologna

Updated October 2026Sources

How much a month costs in Bologna

For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,360–3,380 (€2,100–3,000).

Lean$1,350–1,910€1,200–1,700 · Room or studio, local food
Comfortable$2,360–3,380€2,100–3,000 · 1-bed apartment, eating out daily
Luxury$4,730–7,310€4,200–6,500 · Upscale apartment, restaurants, taxis

Prices in Bologna

Typical 2026 ranges in EUR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.

ItemEURUS$
Housing
1-bedroom apartment, center (month)€900–1,500$1,010–1,690
1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month)€650–1,000$731–1,130
Hostel dorm bed (night)€30–55$34–62
Mid-range hotel room (night)€90–180$101–203
Food and drink
Local meal or street food€8–14$9.0–15.8
Mid-range restaurant, per person€24–42$27–47
Cappuccino€1–3$1.1–3.4
Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar€4–7$4.5–7.9
Getting around
Public transport, one ride€1–2$1.1–2.3
Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km€10–16$11.3–18.0
Work and life
Gym membership (month)€35–65$39–73
Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month)€10–20$11–23

Value for money: 23/100

A value score of 23/100 means Bologna gives more quality of life per dollar than 22% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 71/100. It's the 24th most affordable of 38 places we cover in Italy.

Quality factorScore
Safety75
Air quality78
Internet61
Healthcare92
Weather50
Friendly locals75
English50

Cost of living across Italy

One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.

PlaceComfortable monthValue
Palermo$1,800–2,59046/100
Catania$1,800–2,59045/100
Lecce$1,800–2,59053/100
Matera$1,800–2,70050/100
Sicily$1,910–2,81038/100
Lucca$1,910–2,81047/100
Pisa$2,030–2,81037/100
Bari$2,030–2,93036/100
Naples$2,140–3,04022/100
Verona$2,140–3,04028/100
Siena$2,140–3,04038/100
Genoa$2,140–3,04031/100
Turin$2,140–3,15028/100
Puglia$2,140–3,15031/100
Sardinia$2,250–3,38034/100
Taormina$2,250–3,38026/100
Bologna$2,360–3,38023/100
Florence$2,480–3,60020/100
Venice$2,700–3,83018/100
Lake Como$2,700–3,94019/100
Tuscany$2,700–3,94016/100
Sorrento$2,700–3,94016/100
Lake Garda$2,700–3,94014/100
Rome$2,810–3,94014/100
Milan$3,150–4,5008/100
Cinque Terre$3,380–5,0609/100
Dolomites$3,380–5,0605/100
Amalfi Coast$3,940–5,6306/100
Positano$5,060–7,3102/100
Capri$5,060–7,8801/100

Cheaper alternatives to Bologna

Similar safety, lower cost, in Europe.

PlaceCountryComfortable month
OhridNorth Macedonia$829–1,290
SibiuRomania$1,160–1,690
MostarBosnia and Herzegovina$920–1,320
BrașovRomania$1,160–1,690
SkopjeNorth Macedonia$1,010–1,570

Quick answers

How much money do you need per month in Bologna?

About $1,350–1,910 on a lean budget, $2,360–3,380 for a comfortable month and $4,730–7,310 for a luxury one, rent included.

How much is rent in Bologna?

A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs €900–1,500 ($1,010–1,690) a month in the center and €650–1,000 ($731–1,130) outside it.

How much does food cost in Bologna?

A local meal is €8–14 ($9.0–15.8); a mid-range restaurant is €24–42 ($27–47) per person.

Is Italy expensive?

Prices in Italy are about 69% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).

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Sources

Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.