The historic city center of Rome (Centro Storico), Italy, had the most expensive residential rent in the city in 2024. In October, the square meter rent in the historic city center amounted to 25.83 euros - almost 10 euros higher than the average for the city.

This statistic presents the average monthly rent for furnished dwellings in the Italian city of Rome in 2018, by number of rooms. According to the data, in 2018, one-room apartments in Rome cost on average 663 euros per month. Moreover, a two-room flat could reach an average monthly rent of 831 euros. When looking at bigger dwellings, a four-room apartment cost on average almost 1.2 thousand euros per month.

The average square meter rent in Italy in October 2023 declined from the previous month, but was about 0.7 euros more expensive than the same period in 2022. In October 2023, renters paid on average 12.74 euros per square meter for a rental home. However, renting in some of Italy's northern regions, including Aosta Valley, Tuscany, and Lombardy, was much more expensive. City vs. Countryside It is not a secret that rental prices for residential real estate differ hugely between the city and the countryside. In Italy, Milan and Rome are among the most expensive areas for renters. According to data gathered in 2023, some districts of the two cities boasted an average rental price of over 20 euros per square meter. Southern Italy is more affordable In absolute terms, renting a dwelling in cities in southern Italy is more affordable. Even in the most affluent areas, rents in Palermo were not higher than 11 euros per square meter in late 2023. Moreover, in Naples renting a dwelling could cost between seven and 17 euros per square meter.

In 2024, the annual headline rental rate of office space in Rome, Italy, increased year-on-year after stalling in 2020. At 575 euros per square meter, 2024 was the year when office rents reached the highest rate. In comparison, between 2013 and 2016, a square meter of prime office space cost 400 euros per year. Headline rents refer to the rent payable after rent-free periods or incentives, excluding fees and taxes. Across Europe, London, Paris, and Stockholm were the markets with the highest prime headline office rents.

In Rome, the annual square meter rent of high street retail space was about four times higher than the average rent in a shopping center. As of the third quarter of 2021, the rental rate of a high street shop was 3,400 euros per square meter per year, while shopping center rent cost 840 euros per square meter per year. In 2021, retail rents in Rome fell for a second year in a row. This was likely due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on football, consumer spending, and international travel.

Italy Residential Property Rent: Average: Rome data was reported at 158.081 EUR/sq m in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 156.465 EUR/sq m for 2021. Italy Residential Property Rent: Average: Rome data is updated yearly, averaging 164.137 EUR/sq m from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2022, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 208.989 EUR/sq m in 2008 and a record low of 156.198 EUR/sq m in 2020. Italy Residential Property Rent: Average: Rome data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Nomisma. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.EB004: Residential Property Rent.

In 2024, the capital of Italy, Rome, maintained its position as the most populous city of the Italian peninsula. Over the last decade, the number of the Eternal City’s inhabitants has been growing, from about 2.6 million residents in 2012 to over 2.8 million individuals registered in 2020. From 2021, however, its population slightly dropped, reaching 2.75 million in 2024. Lazio, the region on the Tyrrhenian SeaRome is located in the region of Lazio. This central region, which in the west borders on the Tyrrhenian Sea, is the second-largest Italian region in terms of population, after Lombardy and before Campania. Expensive life in the Italian capital Despite being one of the most affordable European capitals in terms of average monthly rent, Rome occupies the second place on the Italian podium of cities with the highest dwelling rental prices. In 2019, an average monthly rent for a single room amounted to 448 euros, whereas the average monthly price in 2020 of a double room estimated at 287 euro per person, without utilities.

The statistic shows the change in the average monthly rental price of furnished dwellings in major Italian cities in 2018. According to the data, in 2018, rents in Bologna and Milan experienced the highest increase, growing both between 10 and 11 percent compared to the previous year. Rents in the capital Rome increased by 7.7 percent. Conversely, Bari, Cagliari, Genoa and Trieste experience a decrease in the average rental prices of furnished flats. In particular, rents in Genoa dropped by 8.4 percent compared to 2017.

Amsterdam is set to maintain its position as Europe's most expensive city for apartment rentals in 2025, with median costs reaching 2,500 euros per month for a furnished one-bedroom unit. This figure is double the rent in Prague and significantly higher than other major European capitals like Paris, Berlin, and Madrid. The stark difference in rental costs across European cities reflects broader economic trends, housing policies, and the complex interplay between supply and demand in urban centers. Factors driving rental costs across Europe The disparity in rental prices across European cities can be attributed to various factors. In countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, a higher proportion of the population lives in rental housing. This trend contributes to increased demand and potentially higher living costs in these nations. Conversely, many Eastern and Southern European countries have homeownership rates exceeding 90 percent, which may help keep rental prices lower in those regions. Housing affordability and market dynamics The relationship between housing prices and rental rates varies significantly across Europe. As of 2024, countries like Turkey, Iceland, Portugal, and Hungary had the highest house price to rent ratio indices. This indicates a widening gap between property values and rental costs since 2015. The affordability of homeownership versus renting differs greatly among European nations, with some countries experiencing rapid increases in property values that outpace rental growth. These market dynamics influence rental costs and contribute to the diverse rental landscape observed across European cities.

住宅地产租金：平均：罗马在12-01-2022达158.081欧元/平方米，相较于12-01-2021的156.465欧元/平方米有所增长。住宅地产租金：平均：罗马数据按年更新，12-01-2008至12-01-2022期间平均值为164.137欧元/平方米，共15份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-2008，达208.989欧元/平方米，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-2020，为156.198欧元/平方米。CEIC提供的住宅地产租金：平均：罗马数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于Nomisma，数据归类于全球数据库的意大利 – Table IT.EB004: Residential Property Rent。

Renting a bed in a double room is a cheap solution many students and workers resort to when looking for accommodation. This statistic shows the average monthly rent in 2020 in Italian cities that host one or more universities. Milan was the most expensive city to live in in this respect, with an average rent of 345 euros per person. Rome came second in the list, with tenants of double rooms spending 287 euros each on average. Palermo was the city in which double rooms were the cheapest, with an average monthly rent of only 150 euros.

The statistic shows the average monthly rental of furnished dwellings in major Italian cities in 2019. According to the figure, Milan had the highest average rental with 1,234 euros per month, followed by Rome with 884 euros per month. The cheapest city were to rent a flat was Catanzaro, in the region of Calabria, where the average monthly rental amounted to 368 euros.

In October 2023, Milan was by far the most expensive city in Italy to rent a dwelling. In fact, people wishing to rent an apartment or a house in the city were expected to pay almost 21 euros per square meters. Following in the ranking, came Florence and Bologna with 19.8 and 18 euros per square meter. Rome, the Eternal City, came fifth: renting a dwelling in the Italian capital cost on average 14.8 euros per square meter.

The statistic shows the average monthly rent for furnished four-room dwellings in major Italian cities in 2018. According to the figure, Milan had the highest average rental with 1,654 euros per month, followed by Rome with 1,199 euros per month. The cheapest city were to rent a flat was Catanzaro, in the region of Calabria, where the average monthly rental amounted to 473 euros.

In 2023, a square meter of retail space in Venice cost on average 4,301 euros, making it the most expensive city in Italy for retailers. The ranking presented in the graph shows that Milan, the Italian fashion capital, came second, with an average price per square meter of 4,069 euros. When looking at office space, Venice boasted again the highest prices in Italy. In this real estate segment, second in the ranking was Rome, followed by Milan. Residential real estate in Venice Venice is not only the most expensive city in Italy for office and retail spaces, but it also boasts some of the highest prices for residential properties. Residential dwellings on the island can fetch up to 6,000 euros per square meter, with the most expensive areas being the districts San Marco and Rialto. Renting is not very affordable either: a flat in the two districts can cost up to 19 euros per square meter per month, depending on the neighborhood. Why is Venice so expensive? Space in Venice is limited, and the city island became the victim of its own success. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the number of overnight stays in Venice had grown twofold since 2003. The unavailability of space for new constructions and the increasing pressure exerted by tourism pushed prices up in all real estate sectors. Due to many tourists visiting from all over the world, it should not come as a surprise that retailers and investors want to seize the chance to own a space in one of the most famous cities in the world.

The prime rent for retail real estate in Rome and Milan increased for all property types in 2023. As of the fourth quarter of the year, high street shops had a prime rent of 4,130 euros per square meter per year. Renting a retail park was a notably more affordable, at 215 euros per square meter. Overall, Rome and Milan were some of the most expensive places to rent retail real estate in Europe.

In 2019, via Montenapoleone in Milan ranked as the most expensive retail location in Italy. The average yearly rent in the Milanese luxury shopping street was as high as 13.7 thousand euros per square meter. Via Condotti in Rome came second in the ranking with an average yearly rent per square meter of 12.5 thousand euros. Calle San Moisè in Venice and via Roma in Florence completed the ranking. These shopping locations host the most famous luxury brands worldwide, which also makes them a popular attraction among tourists.

Retail spaces in Italian cities

When considering the average price for retail space in Italian cities, the scenario changes. In 2019, a square meter for retail space in Venice cost on average 4.3 thousand euros, making it the most expensive city in Italy for retailers. Milan, the Italian fashion capital, and Naples followed in the list, with an average price per square meter of 3.5 thousand and 2.9 thousand euros, respectively.

Prices for residential real estate in Italian cities

Considering the average price for residential properties in major Italian cities, the scenario is different once again. According to data from 2020, Milan was by far the most expensive city in Italy to purchase a residential property. In fact, people looking to buy an apartment or a house in the Italian capital of fashion could expect to pay on average 4.7 thousand euros per square meter. Florence followed in the ranking (four thousand euros per square meter), and Rome (3.2 thousand euros per square meter). Venice came fourth: purchasing a dwelling in the island city cost on average 3.1 thousand euros per square meter.

Prime rents in the major office markets in Italian cities are expected to grow year-on-year between 2024 and 2028, according to a May 2024 forecast. The capital city of Lombardy Region, Milan, is expected to achieve a higher rental growth than Rome by 2028, at two percent per annum-0.1 percentage points below the average rental growth forecast for the major European markets. In Europe, central city offices had better investment and development prospects than suburban offices.

In 2023, Venice was the most expensive city to buy office space in Italy: the average price was 3,791 euros per square meter. According to the ranking, the second most expensive city was Milan, followed by Rome, and Bologna. Overall, cities in southern Italy offered lower prices: office space in Catania, for example, cost on average 1,330 euros per square meter. Retail space more expensive than office space According to the same report, published by the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate), retail spaces are more expensive than office spaces. For example, one square meter for retail use in Venice cost as much as 4,301 euros in 2023, approximately 500 euros more than office spaces. In Milan the gap was also similar to the one in Venice. Retailers there could expect to pay on average approximately 4,070 euros per square meter, around 600 euros more than the price asked for office spaces. Milan and Rome are prime locations Due to their population size and their role as the leading economic centers, Milan and Rome are the most well-off cities in the country. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that both cities boast the highest prices in all segments of the real estate market. In 2022, a new dwelling in Milan cost on average 4,122 euros per square meter; one in Rome approximately 3,330 euros per square meter.

According to a March 2025 analysis, Florence and Bologna reported the highest average price per night of Airbnb listings among the selected Italian cities, at 210 euros. Meanwhile, Airbnb listings in Venice and Rome cost an average of 179 and 151 euros per night, respectively.