Moving to Rome, Italy in 2026

Considering relocating to Rome? Expect rent from $1226/month, one of the safer cities in its region, Italian is the main language; English is manageable in urban areas. This page covers cost of living, safety, weather, residency options, and everything else settlers want to know before signing a lease.

🇮🇹 Rome, Italy

Compare
2.9M peopleLivability: 69/100 · #41 of 6766% cheaper than NYC
How the Livability Score is calculated
Affordability
17.1/25 ptsNumbeo
Violent Crime
14.5/15 ptsUNODC
Perceived Safety
5.3/10 ptsNumbeo
Internet
5.6/15 ptsOokla
Democracy
11.5/15 ptsEIU
English
6.2/10 ptsEF EPI
Climate
7/10 ptsNumbeo
Stability
9/10 ptsWorld Bank

Total: 76.2 / 110 raw pts → normalized to 69/100

🌆

It's 6:03 PM in Rome

La dolce vita starts now.

Affordability68/100
Safety79/100
Climate83/100
Connectivity38/100
Democracy77/100
English Ease62/100
Clear Days56%

Scores derived from: Numbeo (cost of living) · UNODC (crime) · Economist Intelligence Unit (democracy) · EF EPI (English) · Ookla/Speedtest (internet)

Weather in Rome

Spring

19°C

57% sunny

Summer

31°C

78% sunny

Fall

21°C

49% sunny

Winter

11°C

38% sunny

Best: Fall, Summer, Spring. Avoid: Winter if you dislike extremes.

Cost of Living in RomeNumbeo

Beer (0.5L)

$5.48

Cappuccino

$1.62

Cheap meal

$16.45

Fast food combo

$10.97

Bus/metro ticket

$1.64

Gym/month

$59

Internet/month

$30

Is it actually a democracy?

Democracy index: 7.69 (#34 globally)· Flawed democracy

Freedom House: 87/100

Press freedom rank: #46 of 180

Sources: EIU Democracy Index · Freedom House · RSF Press Freedom Index

Is Rome Safe?UNODC + Numbeo

79/100

Homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 (world average ~5.8)

Numbeo Safety Index: 52.7/100 (covers theft, property crime, perception)

Statistically one of the safest cities on Earth. You'll stop thinking about safety within a week.

Residents report moderate concern about everyday crime. Watch your phone and bag in crowded areas.

Will the lights stay on?

Decent
42% electricity from renewables
Occasional outages

English in RomeEF EPI

Moderate

Primary language is Italian.

English works in business and tourist areas, but you'll want to pick up some local language for daily life.

For Russian/Ukrainian speakers: Indo-European — manageable

Who Has Offices in Rome?

EniEnelLeonardoNTT DataAccentureCapgeminiGoogleMicrosoftApple

Notable employers with offices in the city. Not exhaustive.

Is Rome Worth Moving To?

For

  • +Violent crime is rare, but keep an eye on your phone and wallet. Petty crime is a thing.
  • +31°C summers with the sea nearby. This is not a drill.
  • +Prices are stable. Your budget won't quietly evaporate month by month.

Can you actually live here?

Visa difficulty, time to residency, and what it takes to stay.

EU citizenEasy
US citizenModerate
RussianComplex
UkrainianEasy
5 years to permanent residency
10 years to citizenship
Work permit: Complex
Compare all countries by visa difficulty →

What you can actually do here

Industries, employers, and how startup-friendly this place is.

Employment

governmenttourismmediaaerospace

Startup Scene

Ecosystem: Nascent
VC: Rare

World Bank ease of doing business rank: #50

Corporate tax rate: 24%

Rome — Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rome safe?

Rome has a homicide rate of 0.5 per 100,000 people (source: UNODC), making it very safe. The world average is around 5.8 per 100,000. The Numbeo Crime Index is 47.3/100 (lower is safer), which reflects residents' self-reported concerns about property crime, theft, and everyday safety. As with any city, awareness of local neighborhoods is recommended before settling.

What is the cost of living in Rome?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Rome city centre costs around $1226/month (Numbeo data). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $16.45, monthly transit pass: $38. A single person can expect total monthly costs of roughly $1626–$2026 depending on lifestyle — covering rent, food, transport, and utilities.

What is the weather like in Rome?

Rome has Summers reach around 31°C, winters drop to around 4°C. Summers are hot, so air conditioning is recommended.

Can you get by in Rome without knowing the local language?

Rome has Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI data). Basic interactions are possible in English in tourist and business areas, but learning some local language helps significantly.

Is Rome a good place to settle long-term?

Rome is in Italy, which scores 7.7/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Strong institutions and rule of law make it a stable choice for long-term settlement. Rent from $1226/month.

What is the job market like in Rome?

Italy has an unemployment rate of 6.4%, indicating a moderate job market — competitive but accessible with the right skills. For settlers planning to work locally, research your industry before committing. Remote workers and self-employed expats are less affected by local employment conditions.

Which companies have offices in Rome?

Notable companies with offices in Rome include Eni, Enel, Leonardo, NTT Data, Accenture, Capgemini. The city's job market spans tech, finance, and other sectors — check company career pages for current openings.

Is Rome good for expats?

Rome attracts expats looking for long-term relocation in Italy. Key facts: rent from $1226/month; Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The Livability Score, safety data, and cost of living figures above give a data-driven picture of what to expect when settling here.

How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Italy?

Italy offers the Italy Digital Nomad Visa program. Duration: 1 year (renewable). Requirements: Income ≥ €28,000/yr from remote work. Health insurance required. Apply at Italian consulate. The process is manageable but requires preparation and documentation. Check the official government portal for the most up-to-date application process.

🇮🇹 Rome
BeachHot summersVery safe

Expenses

$2,024 / mo

📺 That's 131 Netflix subs/mo

summer

🌞 31°C / 😊 20°C

winter

❄️ 11°C / ❄️ 4°C

Internet · Ookla Speedtest

75 Mbps

IT: 103 Mbps

Italy

Economics · World Bank / IMF

GDP per capita (PPP)2024

$62,014

GDP Growth2024

+0.7%

Inflation Rate2024

1.0%

Unemployment2025

6.4%

Gini Index2023

34.3 

Population2024

2,873,000

Politics · EIU Democracy Index

Democracy Index

7.6934th

Regime

Flawed democracy

Safety · UNODC

Homicide per 100K

0.5

Language · EF EPI

Languages

Italian (I)

English Proficiency

Moderate35th

Data sources

Cost of living: Numbeo crowd-sourced data

Homicide rate: UNODC 2022

Crime perception index: Numbeo Crime Index

Democracy index: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Freedom House score: Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

Press freedom rank: RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025

GDP per capita: World Bank / IMF

English proficiency: EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI)

Internet speed: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

Grid reliability & renewables: IEA / national grid operators

Residency & visa data: https://www.interno.gov.it/en/themes/civil-rights-and-new-citizens/naturalization