When most people think of Florence, they picture art museums, Renaissance statues, and crowds funneling across the Ponte Vecchio with gelato in hand. What they don’t picture is someone grocery shopping on a Tuesday afternoon, grabbing a €7 lunch, and walking home to a modest apartment to finish a workday.

But that’s the Florence most expats actually live in.

Florence is one of those rare cities where global reputation and day-to-day life don’t completely collide. Yes, it’s historic. Yes, it’s touristy in parts. But it’s also compact, walkable, culturally rich, and—relative to other Western European cities—still surprisingly livable.

Let’s break down what life in Florence actually costs, what you get for your money, and who this city makes sense for long-term.

Housing is where Florence rewards smart choices and punishes emotional ones.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically runs between €700 and €1,200 per month, with the average landing around €900. These are often older buildings with character—thick stone walls, high ceilings—but not always modern layouts.

Move just outside the historic core to neighborhoods like Novoli or Rifredi, and rents drop noticeably. Here, you’ll find €500–800 per month options, often with more space and fewer tourists passing your window every day.

Florence’s average rent per square meter sits around €21.6/m², which places it:

The trade-off? Central Florence is beautiful—but competitive. Long-term renters do better by prioritizing livability over landmarks.

For a one-bedroom apartment, basic utilities—electricity, heating, water, and waste—typically land between €150 and €190 per month. Costs can spike slightly in winter due to heating, especially in older buildings.

Home internet is refreshingly simple: around €30 per month for reliable service that supports remote work without drama.

Nothing flashy here—but nothing stressful either.

Florence shines when it comes to food—not just dining out, but eating well daily.

Groceries remain very reasonable:

Most singles spend €200–300 per month on groceries without cutting corners.

The real win? Quality. Italian food culture prioritizes freshness, simplicity, and seasonality. You’re not paying for “organic branding”—you’re just buying food the way it’s always been done.

Florence is compact enough that many residents barely use public transport.

When you do need it:

Most errands are walkable, and the city’s size keeps daily friction low. For many expats, transportation becomes one of the smallest budget categories.

Italy’s public healthcare system covers residents and is often underestimated by newcomers.

The system isn’t perfect, but it’s accessible, affordable, and doesn’t carry the financial anxiety many expats associate with healthcare elsewhere.

This is Florence’s temptation category.

Living in Florence means culture isn’t an occasional splurge—it’s woven into everyday life. And yes, if you lean into concerts, exhibitions, and dining out, your monthly spend will climb.

That’s not a flaw. It’s part of the trade-off.

Here’s what the numbers look like in practice:

Single expat (rent + basics):
≈ €2,300/month (~US $2,500)

Nomad / international expat lifestyle:
≈ €2,600–3,000/month (~US $2,800–3,200)
(Includes dining, coworking, leisure, and occasional travel)

Family of four:
≈ €3,580/month (~US $3,800)

For a single person excluding rent, expect roughly €900/month for groceries, transport, utilities, and daily life.

Florence works because it offers:

But there are realities to acknowledge:

Florence isn’t cheap—but it’s balanced. And for many, that balance is exactly the point.

Florence is not a fantasy city. It’s a livable one.

A single expat can live comfortably on ~€2,300/month, enjoy world-class culture daily, and still maintain a routine that feels grounded rather than rushed. For families or higher-touch lifestyles, costs rise—but remain in line with Western Europe while delivering far more character.

Florence rewards people who value quality over excess, rhythm over speed, and culture over consumption.