MILAN
| City | Rent | Food | Transport | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | 550–800 € | 220–300 € | 50–75 € | 820–1.175 € |
| Rome | 480–720 € | 200–280 € | 35–55 € | 715–1.055 € |
| Florence | 420–640 € | 200–270 € | 35–55 € | 655–965 € |
| Bologna | 380–580 € | 180–260 € | 30–45 € | 590–885 € |
| Padua | 350–530 € | 170–240 € | 25–40 € | 545–810 € |
Rent accounts for 55% to 65% of an Erasmus student's monthly budget in Italy. Finding a good room at a fair price is the single most important decision you'll make. A verified platform like Lupo Rooms guarantees the price you see is the price you pay — no hidden fees, no abusive deposits.
Eat at the mense universitarie
University canteens serve full meals from €2.80 with a student ID. Potential savings: €100/month.
Get a monthly transport pass
Every Italian city offers student discounts. The monthly pass is far cheaper than buying single tickets.
Shop at local markets
Mercati rionali sell fruit, vegetables and cheese at much lower prices than supermarkets.
Choose a room with bills included
Rentals with spese incluse (utilities included) protect you from electricity and gas bill surprises.
Use your student card everywhere
Museums, cinemas, theatres and many local venues offer 30-50% discounts with a student ID.
Travel with Flixbus or BlaBlaCar
When visiting other Italian cities during your Erasmus, these alternatives are far cheaper than trains.
Rent close to your university
Living within walking or cycling distance saves you the transport pass — up to €60/month.
On Lupo Rooms you'll find the best rooms at the best prices in every Italian university city. No commissions. No scams.
searchSearch rooms nowIt depends a lot on the city: the total monthly cost varies considerably across the five most popular Erasmus cities (Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence and Padua). Rent is by far the biggest expense, so comparing the cost of living by city before choosing your destination helps you plan a realistic budget with no surprises.
Rent takes up between 55% and 65% of an Erasmus student's budget in Italy, so finding a good room at a good price is the most important financial decision you will make. A verified platform like Lupo Rooms guarantees that the price you see is the real one, with no hidden fees or abusive deposits.
Eating at the university mense is your best bet: they offer full meals from €2.80 for students with a card, with potential savings of around €100 a month. Shopping at the mercati rionali (neighbourhood markets) is also much cheaper than the supermarket for fruit, vegetables and cheese.
Yes. All Italian cities offer student transport discounts, and the monthly pass works out much cheaper than paying per ride. Even better: if you rent near your university and walk or cycle, you can skip the pass altogether and save up to around €60 a month on getting around.
Your student card unlocks plenty of discounts: museums, cinemas, theatres and many venues offer 30-50% off. It also gives you access to reduced transport fares and the cheap meals at university canteens. It is one of the tools that helps you stretch your budget the most throughout your entire Erasmus.