Skyline of Milan
Cost of Living: 130 1,396,000

Milan, Italy

Italy's fashion and financial capital, a global hub for design, business, and culture with the iconic Duomo and world-class shopping.

Updated October 4, 2026

Overview

Milan is a city in Lombardy with a population of 1,396,000. Italy’s fashion and financial capital, a global hub for design, business, and culture with the iconic Duomo and world-class shopping. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews older, with a median age of 47.0.

Last updated: October 04, 2026

Cost of Living 130

Very High vs Italy Avg (100)

Housing Index 170

Very Expensive

Median Income €38,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Milan vs Italy Average

Cost of Living
Milan: 130
Italy Avg: 100
Housing Index
Milan: 170
Italy Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Milan: 27%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €38,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 1,396,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 80 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: €450,000
  • 1BR Rent: €1300/mo

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Cost of Living

Milan's cost of living index is 130 (Italy average = 100).

CategoryMilanNational AverageDifference
Overall130100+30.0%
Housing170100+70.0%

Data source: ISTAT / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€450,000
Median Rent (1BR)€1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft€300

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 Milan:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€67Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)€2Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€35Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€30Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€20Private service
Total Utilities€254Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ARERA, Enel, ENI 2025

Remote Work Score

Milan scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 130
Rent
— €1300
Sunny Days
— 190
Tax
— 27%
Unemployment
— 5.5%
Climate
— 86°F / 30°F
Safety
— 0.6 homicides/100k
Population
— 1,396,000
Internet Speed
— 80 Mbps

Climate

Milan has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April71°F45°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Milan faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

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.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine and Apennine regions with avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Seismic activity in northern Italy.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Drought Moderate Risk

Southern Italy experiences periodic droughts.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Italy experiences occasional tornadoes.

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 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Milan 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

5
Universities
#186
Top University Rank
2
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University of Milan

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

Demographics

The population of Milan is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

EU foreign
2.2%
Foreign
14.6%
Foreign-born
17.0%
National
85.4%
Non-EU foreign
12.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.2%
High school graduate
38.7%
Less than high school
37.1%

Religion

Demographic composition is derived from the Eurostat Urban Audit (city-level). Ethnicity figures are based on nationality / country of birth, as European statistics do not collect race or ethnicity data. Education figures reflect the highest level of education attained by the population aged 25-64.

Data source: Eurostat Urban Audit (2025)

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 Milan, Italy?

The cost of living index in Milan is 130, which is Higher the Italy national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Milan is €450,000. The housing index is 170.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Milan is approximately €1300/mo.

Does Milan, LOM have income tax?

Milan is in LOM, which has an income tax rate of 27%.

What is the climate like in Milan?

Milan enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Relocation Guides

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: October 21, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.