Milan tops Italian remote-work cost ranking at €1,970 a month, while Rome becomes cheaper
A 2026 bunq index estimates that remote workers in Milan face monthly costs of €1,970, compared with €1,708 in Florence and €1,527 in Rome. Rome's cost fell 5.7% and remains the lowest among the three Italian cities. New York continues to rank as the most expensive city in the study.
The 2026 bunq index estimates Milan’s monthly expenses for remote workers at €1,970. Florence is placed at €1,708, and Rome at €1,527. Rome’s amount dropped by 5.7% and stays the lowest among the three Italian cities in the comparison.
New York remains at the top of the study’s overall cost list. The figures offer a narrow comparison of monthly outlays for remote employees in these places.
The figures could shape how remote workers weigh where to live and work, especially those whose incomes are not tied to a local office. Cheaper monthly costs in Rome may make it more attractive for some budget-conscious remote employees, while Milan’s higher figure could prompt others to reconsider. The index may also influence how employers and workers discuss location-based pay and living expenses, though it covers only selected cities.