Italy has beautiful places to live almost everywhere. Rome and Milan have full guides; this page compares them with seven more bases, from university cities to the deep south and the lakes.
The costs are ballpark figures for a comfortable month for one person: a one-bedroom flat on a monthly lease, eating out often, coworking, transport and a social life.
The Bases at a Glance#
| Base | Comfortable month | Best months | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | about $2,500 | April to June, September to October | History, food |
| Milan | about $2,900 | April to June, September to October | Business, coworking |
| Florence | $2,400 to $3,000 | April to June, September to October | Art, beauty |
| Bologna | $2,000 to $2,500 | April to June, September to October | Food, students, location |
| Naples | $1,600 to $2,100 | April to June, September to November | Energy, low costs |
| Turin | $1,800 to $2,300 | April to June, September to October | Elegant, affordable north |
| Palermo | $1,500 to $2,000 | October to June | Sicily, sun, street food |
| Lecce | $1,400 to $1,900 | April to June, September to October | Baroque town, Puglia beaches |
| Como | $2,200 to $2,900 | May to September | The lake, near Milan |
Rome#
The Eternal City combines ruins, piazzas and some of Europe’s best everyday food with moderate costs. The nomad scene is smaller than Lisbon’s, and summers are hot. See the Rome digital nomad guide.
Milan#
Italy’s business and design capital has the best coworking, startups and connections, plus the lakes an hour away. It is the most expensive city. See the Milan digital nomad guide.
Florence#
The Renaissance city is small, walkable and stunning, with Tuscany on the doorstep. It is busy with tourists and students, and rents are high for its size, but few places are as beautiful to live in.
Bologna#
Italy’s food capital and home to Europe’s oldest university is lively, arcaded and very central, an hour from Florence and Milan by fast train. It is good value, with a young population and a growing remote-work scene.
Naples#
Loud, chaotic, warm and full of life, with the best pizza in the world, the Bay of Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast nearby. It is one of the cheapest big cities in Western Europe, and becoming popular with remote workers who want character over polish.
Turin#
Elegant, arcaded and under-visited, Turin has Baroque cafes, museums, the Alps on the horizon and lower costs than Milan. It has a strong tech and automotive industry and a calm pace.
Palermo#
Sicily’s capital is a mix of Arab-Norman palaces, markets, street food and beaches. It is cheap, sunny and mild in winter, with a small international community. Things move slowly, and English is less common.
Lecce#
The “Florence of the South” in Puglia, a honey-coloured Baroque town near two seas, olive groves and some of Italy’s best beaches. It is affordable and relaxed, with a small long-stay community.
Como#
On the shore of Lake Como, 40 minutes from Milan by train, Como has lake views, mountains and an easy commute to the city. It is expensive in summer and quiet in winter.
Choosing Your Base#
- Start in Rome, Milan or Bologna for the easiest setup and transport links.
- Go south for winter sun: Palermo and the south are the mildest.
- Book early in university cities, where flats fill up in September.
- Use the trains to try several cities in one stay.
Where to Base FAQs#
Where do most digital nomads live in Italy?
Milan and Rome have the most coworking and nomads, with smaller communities in Florence, Bologna and Naples.
What is the cheapest city in Italy for digital nomads?
Naples, Palermo and Lecce are among the cheapest, at about $1,400 to $2,100 a month for a comfortable life.
Is Bologna good for digital nomads?
Yes. It is central, good value, lively and famous for food, with fast trains to Milan, Florence and Rome.
Is southern Italy good for digital nomads?
Yes, for people who want low costs, sunshine and character. Services are slower and English is less common.