Milan remains Italy's most expensive city, Codacons report

A new survey by Codacons, based on June 2026 data from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, highlights a significant economic divide between Northern and Southern Italy regarding the cost of living.

Milan remains the most expensive city in the country, with a basket of 33 items—comprising 20 food products and 13 services such as dining, hairdressing, and dental care—costing nearly 693 euros. Other high-cost cities include Bolzano, Aosta, and Bologna, where expenses exceed 640 euros.

In contrast, Southern cities offer much lower prices. Naples is the most affordable, with the same basket costing approximately 402 euros, which is 42% less than in Milan. Other economical cities include Palermo, Catanzaro, and Bari.

The disparity is particularly evident in the services sector. While services cost nearly 491 euros in Milan, they cost only 262 euros in Naples. Food costs also vary significantly, with several Northern cities exceeding 200 euros for the food basket, while Naples and Catanzaro remain well below 150 euros.