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RENTING

Five of the most affordable areas to rent in Rome

Renting in Rome has become increasingly expensive over the years, but there are some areas of the city which are more affordable to live in than others.

A view of Rome on April 22nd, 2024.
Rome is getting more and more expensive to rent in. Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP.

The average rental price in Rome will set you back almost €17 per square metre, according to the latest data published by online housing portal Immobiliare.it.

That means that a 50-square-metre apartment would cost around €850 a month on average.

Costs are at an all-time high for Rome, with rental prices per square metre being almost €2 higher than at this time last year.

Experts such as those from estate agency Solo Affitti highlighted in their latest report that the rise of short-term rentals and Rome’s upcoming Jubilee were to blame for the hike in prices.

Silvia Spronelli, CEO of Solo Affitti, said on LinkedIn: “We are facing a new scenario in Rome’s real estate sector. 

“The wait for the Jubilee promises to be a catalyst for the increase in rents in the capital, a phenomenon that is not isolated but which follows a trend already evident in other large Italian metropolises.”

READ ALSO: How can I find an apartment to rent in Rome?

At more than €20 per square metre (that’s around €1,000 for a 50-square-metre flat), the historic centre, along with popular haunts Trastevere, Testaccio, San Giovanni, Re di Roma, Parioli, Flaminio, Aventino, Prati, and Salario are off limits to many.

However, there are still a few places in some of the outer parts of Rome where you can get more bang for your buck.

As the available data does not provide an average monthly rental price, we have calculated a monthly average for a 50-square-metre apartment to give a more tangible idea of the prices you can expect.

Appio Claudio and Capannelle 

The Appio Claudio and Capannelle zone is perfect for those looking to get away from the chaos of the city. Besides the price, other benefits include being close to Rome’s biggest park (Parco degli Acquedotti) and ring road (Grande Raccordo Anulare) should you want to escape the city and explore the wider Lazio region over the weekend. 

Appio Claudio is also near metro stations Subaugusta and Lucio Sestio. Capanelle is a bit further away from the metro stops, but it is served by a rail line transporting residents to Rome’s central station, Termini.

Price per square metre average: 13.45.

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: 672.5

Portuense 

This district has similar rental prices to Appio Claudio and Cappanelle. Unlike them though, it is closer to Rome’s city centre and borders on more expensive districts such as Marconi and Monteverde.

READ ALSO: What are the best Rome neighbourhoods for international residents?

Portunese is not served by a metro stop, but it does have a train station. Highlights of the area include its park, Tevere Magliana, which borders on river Tiber. 

Price per square metre average: €13.65

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €682.5

Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata

Admittedly, these two neighbourhoods are not the prettiest, but if getting into work and the centre is a top priority, then they’re probably the best out of the most affordable areas to live in Rome. Each is served by a metro stop, with Tiburtina being Rome’s second largest station after Rome Termini.

Price per square metre average: €14.01

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €700

Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario 

Just north of Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata are the neighbourhoods of Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario. The area is nicer and the slightly higher average price reflects that.

There are metro stops and train stations for commuters, as well as parks and numerous eateries.

READ ALSO: The downsides of Rome you should be aware of before moving there

Price per square metre average: €14.6

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: 730

Appia Pignatelli, Ardeatino and Montagnola

To get the best out of living in these neighbourhoods, getting a car will be necessary as transport is scarce. However, what these quartieri lack in transport, they make up for in greenery as they’re all close to the famous Appia Antica park. There’s also a wealth of things to do if you fancy staying local over the weekend.

Nevertheless, the area is probably best suited to someone with access to a car or working from home. 

Price per square metre average: 14.88

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: 730

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MONEY

Six key tips to save money on groceries in Italy

Grocery shopping in Italy has become more expensive in recent years, but there are a few easy ways to get more bang for your buck.

Six key tips to save money on groceries in Italy

Buying food in Italy has become more and more expensive in recent years. 

Grocery prices in Italian supermarkets were up by 6 percent in March 2024 compared to the same month last year, according to data from national statistics institute Istat.

But the upward trend has been going on for longer, particularly in relation to basic foodstuffs. 

Between February 2019 and February 2024, the price of extra virgin oil increased by 81 percent on average, dried pasta by 35 percent, eggs by 25 percent, and tomato puree and fresh milk by 41 percent and 21 percent respectively, according to consumer association Federconsumatori.

But as prices seem to continue growing year after year, there are several ways to save money on groceries in Italy – all of which can be paired with universally valid approaches such as planning meals, not shopping on an empty stomach and buying unbranded items.

Buy seasonal produce

Cooking and eating seasonal food is popular in Italy and it is far from rare for supermarkets and local market stalls to update their stock accordingly. 

Not only are seasonal fruit and vegetables more flavoursome (and arguably healthier), they can also be up to 30 percent cheaper than out-of-season fare. 

That said, it is becoming slightly more common for out-of-season products to sneak their way onto supermarket shelves. 

Luckily though, there are several seasonal food guides, including this from consumer association AltroConsumo, that can lend you a helping hand.

Supermarkets vs local markets

Speaking of supermarkets and local markets, there is often a general assumption that the latter are cheaper. 

But much depends on exactly what you’re looking to buy. 

According to data from food magazine Agrodolce, meat and dairy products are cheaper to buy at the supermarket, while fish, fruit and vegetables are cheaper to buy from local fishmongers and greengrocers respectively. 

Compare supermarket prices

Compared to local markets, supermercati have one advantage which can allow for significant savings: prices are far easier to compare.

Discount stores iN’s mercato and Aldi were ranked the cheapest supermarkets in Italy in 2024 by personal finance website Money.it

If scrimping on quality is not an option, the fourth-cheapest supermarket chain, Eurospin, ranked first out of all of Italy’s discount stores for quality. 

Lidl is often ranked as one of the cheapest supermarkets in Italy.

Lidl is often ranked as one of the cheapest supermarkets in Italy. Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Take advantage of technology

Downloading apps is another way to find good deals. 

App PromoQui allows users to compare the prices of items across supermarkets up and down the country, and offers regularly updated promotional leaflets, sparing you from having to scroll through each supermarket’s website to find them. 

READ ALSO: What your choice of Italian supermarket says about you

If you’re concerned about food waste, app Too Good To Go, connects customers to restaurants and stores that have unsold food so they can purchase said food at a discounted price.

Use lunch vouchers

Whether you hold a full or part-time contract, if you’re in employment in Italy, you may have access to buoni pasto, which are vouchers handed out by employers as a way for employees to save on their lunches.

Conveniently, besides being redeemable at local restaurants or bars for your lunch break, they can also be used at supermarkets to save on your weekly food shop.

Explore the discount section 

Almost all supermarkets around Italy have a discount section storing both refrigerated and unrefrigerated goods, which tend to be put out a day before their expiration date. 

This is particularly convenient for meat supplies, which can be bought, put in the freezer and then thawed when needed.

Purchasing fruit and vegetables which appear ‘wonky’ is another way to spend less. There is generally nothing wrong with these items, except for a few visible defects, which lead supermarkets to sell them at a discounted price.

Do you have any other tips to save money when grocery shopping in Italy? Let us know in the comments section below.

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