Looking for the best places to retire? Why not consider Italy. A new report from International Living highlights seven regions in Italy where retirees can live at surprisingly affordable prices. In fact, you can live well in many parts of the country for an average cost of living as low as $1,000 a month for a single person or as low as $1,500 for a couple.
That’s a striking contrast to the U.S., where the average household aged 65 and older spends about $4,345 per month, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (which sources its data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Meanwhile, the average Social Security check hovers around $2,000 per month and is the primary source of income for millions of retirees, yet it barely covers housing, food and healthcare in many American cities.
That gap is what makes Italy such an appealing choice for retirees. “Italy has this reputation as a dream destination, and it is, but it’s also a very practical choice for retirement,” Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, told me in an interview. “Day-to-day expenses can be much lower than what most people are used to paying in the U.S.”
Stevens says that the savings can be significant, and you won’t be sacrificing. “That’s not about scraping by—that’s eating well, enjoying cultural events, traveling locally and being part of a community,” she says.
And while getting a residency visa can be a concern in many parts of the world, Italy makes it easy with the Elective Residency Visa, which is specifically designed for retirees. “This is the key to long-term life in Italy,” Ted Baumann, head of global diversification at International Living, told me in an interview. “You need to demonstrate stable, passive income—about €31,000 a year for a single person, and more for couples.”
The visa is valid for one year, and it’s renewable. “After five years, you can apply for permanent residency, and after 10 years, even citizenship,” he says Baumann.
Another thing going for Italy is its healthcare system. “The country’s national health service is ranked among the best in the world, and it’s available at very low cost to residents,” Chip Stites, International Living’s Italy correspondent, told me in an interview. “Expats regularly talk about how modern and efficient the hospitals and clinics are.”
Stevens says that International Living chose these seven regions of Italy because they strike the right balance: authentic culture, beautiful settings and a cost of living that puts them within reach of retirees, even on a Social Security income. “Each offers a distinctive lifestyle—whether it’s Tuscany’s rolling hills, Sicily’s coastal charm or the quiet towns of Le Marche and Abruzzo,” says Stevens. “These are places where you can rent a comfortable apartment, shop at outdoor markets and enjoy festivals and community life, all without straining a retirement budget.”
Ultimately, says Stevens, Italy offers both romance and practicality. “The dream of Italy has always been about more than just the scenery. It’s the rhythm of life here: morning coffee in the piazza, fresh produce from the market, evenings spent lingering over wine with friends,” says Stevens. “Retirees discover that it’s not only attainable, but often less expensive than staying in the States.”
Stites agrees: “Cost savings are important, of course, but what makes Italy really stand out is the quality of life,” he says. “You don’t have to give up anything—in fact, you gain more. That’s the great gift of Italy.”
Here’s a look at the seven regions identified in the new report. And if you want even more inspiration, I recently wrote about the 20 most beautiful villages In Italy, and it’s no surprise that each of these regions has a standout on that list.
Abruzzo: From $1,000 A Month
Why: International Living says that Abruzzo is one of the best bargains in Italy, but “it doesn’t feel cheap.” Set between snow-topped Apennine mountains and sandy Adriatic beaches, International Living calls it “one of the most visually spectacular, and underrated, regions in Italy.” The weather is also good, with four true seasons and no harsh extremes. Retirees are attracted to the strong sense of community in lively cities like Sulmona and Lanciano and quiet hilltop towns like Rocca San Giovanni. You’ll also find regional airports and good hospitals.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles can live comfortably for $1,000 to $1,200 per month, while couples should budget $1,500 to $1,700. Rental rates range from just $200 a month in small towns to around $350 in hubs like Sulmona or Penne, while you can buy an entire countryside home for under $50,000. Dining is also inexpensive: A dinner of pizza and beer for two runs about $20.
Sicily: From $1,100 A Month
Why: Sicily, with its pretty beaches and dramatic volcanoes, has been buzzing since its starring role in White Lotus. It’s also a great place to retire on a budget. International Living highlights the island’s “deep history, thriving local markets, world-class cuisine and a surprisingly strong expat scene—especially in cities like Catania, Siracusa and Ragusa.” Add in a warm, welcoming culture and accessible healthcare, and Sicily offers an appealing mix of authenticity and Mediterranean indulgence.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles can live comfortably in Sicily for $1,100 to $1,300 per month, while couples should budget $1,600 to $1,800. Rent for a modern three-bedroom apartment in a city like Palermo might cost around $570, while furnished apartments in smaller towns can be even less. There are also the now-famous “1-euro homes” programs in towns like Gangi and Sambuca. Day-to-day life is also easy on the wallet: a cappuccino and cornetto costs about $2.65, lunch at a neighborhood bar runs $6.30 to $10.50, and a sit-down trattoria dinner with wine might total $21 to $26 per person.
Puglia: From $1,110 A Month
Why: Puglia is a laid-back region in the boot of Italy that’s known for its whitewashed towns, sun-drenched coastline and rustic cuisine. It offers what International Living calls “the quintessential Mediterranean lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of more famous regions.” Expats are drawn to towns like Lecce (called “the Florence of the South”) and Ostuni, with its well-preserved historic center. According to the report, “What makes Puglia especially appealing is its authentic, unfussy lifestyle. The pace of life is relaxed, but not sleepy.”
The Cost: International Living estimates that a single person can live comfortably in Puglia for $1,110 to $1,300 per month, while couples should budget $1,600 to $1,800. Housing is also very affordable. International Living reports that you can buy a home starting at around $50,000 and find rentals for under $800 a month. Dining out is also cheap: You’ll pay just $25 for dinner for two with wine, and a cappuccino at a cafe will cost about $1.30.
Le Marche: From $1,200 A Month
Why: With medieval towns, pretty landscapes and Renaissance treasures, Le Marche is known as “Tuscany without the crowds,” according to International Living. It’s also a lot less expensive. On the Adriatic coast, International Living recommends towns like Senigallia and San Benedetto del Tronto, with their wide sandy beaches and fresh seafood. Inland, places like Urbino and Ascoli Piceno have a serene, small-town lifestyle. One caveat to living here: Public transport is limited (other than While a high-speed rail line along the Adriatic), so having a car is recommended.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles can live in Le Marche for $1,200 to $1,400 per month, while couples should budget $1,700 to $1,900. Housing is surprisingly affordable, with two-bedroom apartments in places like Ascoli Piceno renting from around $500 a month. Eating out is also easy on the wallet: pizza and beer cost $8 or $9, a three-course trattoria lunch with wine and espresso runs about $16 and even a romantic dinner for two with a bottle of wine can be under $80.
Umbria: From $1,400 A Month
Why: Umbria is known as Italy’s “Green Heart” thanks to its lush landscapes dotted with medieval villages. International Living calls out its perfect location, since it’s central (and well-connected by road and rail to both Rome and Florence) and far less touristy than neighboring regions like Tuscany. Towns like Orvieto, Spoleto and Todi offer a genuine small-town feel, while the region’s festivals—like Umbria Jazz and the Spoleto Festival—add cultural flair.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles should budget $1,400 to $1,600 per month, while couples can live well on $1,700 to $1,900. Real estate is well priced: Renovated farmhouses with land can be found under $160,000, and charming apartments in hill towns like Città della Pieve or Narni often list for less than $125,000. Daily life is also more affordable than neighboring Tuscany: A cappuccino might cost $1.50 in Umbria versus $1.90 across the border, and a truffle pasta dish runs about $12 compared to $17 in Tuscany.
Tuscany: From $1,500 A Month
Why: “If your vision of retirement includes rolling hills, golden light, and a glass of Chianti at sunset, Tuscany may be your dream come true,” writes International Living. The key to living affordably here is to look beyond high-cost spots like Florence and Siena. International Living highlights cities and towns like Arezzo, Pistoia, Lucca and Volterra, where you can enjoy the Tuscan lifestyle at more reasonable rates.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles should budget $1,500 to $1,700 per month, while couples can live comfortably on $2,000 to $2,300. It’s possible to find apartments for under $600 a month, or you can buy a pretty stone homes in the countryside for well under six figures. Healthcare is also a bargain, with average monthly expenses of just $41.
Liguria: From $1,500 A Month
Why: “For retirees who dream of sea views and sun-drenched promenades, Liguria is a strong contender,” says International Living. Stretching from the border of France to Tuscany, this stretch of Italian Riviera is home to towns like Imperia, Chiavari, Lerici and La Spezia. International Living says that the region enjoys a unique microclimate: “Winters are among the mildest in northern Italy, and summers rarely feel oppressively hot.” Healthcare is also excellent, and public transit makes it possible to get by without a car.
The Cost: According to International Living, singles should budget $1,500 to $1,700 per month, while couples can expect to spend $2,000 to $2,300. In cities like La Spezia, the cost of living is estimated to be nearly 50% lower than in the U.S.. Rentals for a two-bedroom apartment often start under $1,000 per month. Everyday expenses are reasonable: A cappuccino is about $3, while a three-course dinner with wine runs about $90 for two.
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