Popular cities
Rome Prices & Cost of Living 2026
Italy · Big city — Rome is about 38% cheaper than New York. Not just exchange rates: what a fair price is, where it turns into a rip-off, and what that means in your money.
Rome prices at a glance
Just got quoted a price? Check it
Pick the item and type the price you were quoted or paid — instant verdict. If you actually paid it, you can share it right here.
Open in the app: see it in your money & log it ›Free · no sign-up · Rip-off guide
Rome travel difficulty
Unlicensed cab touts at Termini/airport; bracelet, petition hustlers
Basic English at sights and hotels; translator app elsewhere
Leonardo Express from airport; only 3 metro lines; erratic buses
Cards widely OK; some taxis claim the card machine is broken
Heavy pickpocketing at Termini, bus 64, Trevi and the metro
Good to knowFiumicino cabs charge a flat fare into the Aurelian Walls; use white licensed taxis only
Handy apps: FREENOW · Uber · itTaxi
Visas depend on your passport, so they are not scored. Felt different on the ground? Tell other travelers below. Travel difficulty in Europe › Difficulty ranking for 502 cities ›
In your money
Rome is about 38% cheaper than New York
Based on 8 things travelers buy most, compared with New York. Each pair of bars is the same purchase in both cities, converted to your currency. Set your own city and currency in “My basis” above.
Rome in numbers
- 🍜5.7 local meals
- ☕47 coffees
- 🍺14 beers
- 🚕6.1 5-km taxi rides
- 💆1.5 h of massage
- 🏨0.6 hotel nights
- Local meal1 h 34 min · New York 52 min
- Coffee11 min · New York 15 min
- Beer38 min · New York 23 min
- Taxi1 h 28 min · New York 59 min
- Coffee#72 cheapest
- SIM card#217 priciest
- Transit#167 priciest
- Taxi#64 priciest
- Hotel night#80 priciest
Rome price guide & rip-off thresholds
Rome travel budget
Per person per day, estimated. Flights and shopping not included.
See 4-day, 1-week and 1-month budget tables › · Plan a multi-city trip budget ›
How to spend money in Rome
- Restaurants right by the Trevi Fountain or Pantheon charge more and add cover.
- Espresso standing at the bar is cheapest.
Cards are widely accepted, but small shops prefer cash.
Not expected; leave small change.
A cover charge (coperto) or service may be added; check the bottom of the menu. Coffee at the bar is cheapest.
Validate train and bus tickets before boarding; Rome and Milan have easy metros.
No haggling, except at flea markets.
Tap water is safe to drink. Rome's public fountains (nasoni) are drinkable.
Overpriced restaurants facing landmarks, bracelet and rose pushers, pickpockets.
Live prices reported in Rome
Loading…
FAQ
Is Rome cheaper than New York?
Across 8 things travelers buy most (meals, coffee, beer, taxis, hotels…), Rome is about 38% cheaper than New York. A local meal is about €15 (≈ $17.4) and a coffee about €1.8 (≈ $2.09).
How hard is Rome to travel?
Averaging rip-offs, language, getting around, payments and safety, Rome scores 2.6/5 — 'moderate'. The main thing to watch is rip-offs & haggling (3/5): Unlicensed cab touts at Termini/airport; bracelet, petition hustlers. Tip: Fiumicino cabs charge a flat fare into the Aurelian Walls; use white licensed taxis only
Is Rome good for first-time travelers?
With a little preparation, yes (2.6/5). Rip-offs & haggling: Unlicensed cab touts at Termini/airport; bracelet, petition hustlers. Tip: Fiumicino cabs charge a flat fare into the Aurelian Walls; use white licensed taxis only
What is a realistic daily budget for Rome?
Mid-range (3-star hotel, local meals plus a dinner out, two taxi rides) is about $290 a day. Guesthouses and street food bring it to about $98.3; 4-star and restaurants push it to about $568.
How much does it cost to live in Rome for a month?
A short-term studio (about $2,767) plus food, transport and a SIM (about $2,038) comes to roughly $4,804 a month. A local long-term lease (studio about €1,050) brings it down a lot.
How much should a taxi cost in Rome?
For 5 km in town, expect €11.2 – €22.4; anything above €26.9 is suspicious. Validate train and bus tickets before boarding; Rome and Milan have easy metros.
Do you tip in Rome?
Not expected; leave small change. A cover charge (coperto) or service may be added; check the bottom of the menu. Coffee at the bar is cheapest.
Can you use cards in Rome?
Cards are widely accepted, but small shops prefer cash.
Where do these numbers come from?
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in the median of what people actually paid.
Fair range & rip-off line — each item gets its own spread (tight for transit, wide for street food). Above 1.2× the top of the fair range is flagged as a likely rip-off.
Budgets add up item prices for the lifestyle described above. Peak season and prime tourist spots run higher.
Exchange rate as of October 2026: 1 USD = €0.86. Last updated 2026-10-05.