Skyline of Catania
Cost of Living: 78 311,000

Catania, Italy

A dynamic Sicilian city at the foot of Mount Etna, with Baroque architecture, a vibrant fish market, and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 78

Below Average vs Italy Avg (100)

Housing Index 65

Affordable

Median Income €21,000

Household income

Unemployment 21.0%

Job market health

Catania vs Italy Average

Cost of Living
Catania: 78
Italy Avg: 100
Housing Index
Catania: 65
Italy Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Catania: 27%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 27.0%
  • Sales Tax: 22.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €21,000
  • Unemployment: 21.0%
  • Population: 311,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 46°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: €120,000
  • 1BR Rent: €450/mo

Cost of Living

Catania's cost of living index is 78 (Italy average = 100).

CategoryCataniaNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing65100-35.0%

Data source: ISTAT / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€120,000
Median Rent (1BR)€450/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€563/mo
Price per Sq Ft€80

Data source: Idealista / Immobiliare.it, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Catania:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€18Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)€10Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€35Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€30Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€20Private service
Total Utilities€213Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ARERA, Enel, ENI 2025

Remote Work Score

Catania scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
78
Rent
€450
Sunny Days
260
Tax
27%
Unemployment
21.0%
Climate
88°F / 46°F
Safety
0.6 homicides/100k
Population
311,000
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Catania has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January66°F46°F2.5"
April73°F61°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F64°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Catania faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Volcano High Risk

Active volcanic region including Vesuvius and Etna.

Wildfire High Risk

Mediterranean climate with frequent wildfires.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous terrain (Alps, Apennines) with landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine and Apennine regions with avalanches.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding and flash floods.

Drought Moderate Risk

Southern Italy experiences periodic droughts.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Italy experiences occasional tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Northern Italy experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 27%
  • Sales Tax: 22%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 21.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Catania per 100,000 residents:

52.4
Violent Crime
1,783.8
Property Crime
0.6
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Quadrimestre — First (Sep-Jan), Second (Jan-June)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

Many schools have afternoon sessions 2-3 days per week. Schedule varies by region.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#502
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Catania

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Catania, Italy?

The cost of living index in Catania is 78, which is Lower the Italy national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Catania?

The median home price in Catania is €120,000. The housing index is 65.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Catania is approximately €450/mo.

Does Catania, SIC have income tax?

Catania is in SIC, which has an income tax rate of 27%.

What is the climate like in Catania?

Catania enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 46°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: ISTAT / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Idealista / Immobiliare.it, 2026
  • Income & Employment: ISTAT Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ARERA, Enel, ENI 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.