Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
Florence is easier to travel (2.2 vs 2.6). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Florence 2 vs Rome 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
| Item | Florence | Rome | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โฌ 15$17.4 | โฌ 15$17.4 | similar |
| Street food1 item | โฌ 5.5$6.4 | โฌ 6.8$7.91 | Florence โ19% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โฌ 38$44.2 | โฌ 30$34.9 | Rome โ21% |
| Coffeeone cup | โฌ 2$2.33 | โฌ 1.8$2.09 | Rome โ10% |
| Beerone bottle | โฌ 5.5$6.4 | โฌ 6$6.98 | Florence โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โฌ 10$11.6 | โฌ 9$10.5 | Rome โ10% |
| Bottled water | โฌ 1$1.16 | โฌ 1$1.16 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โฌ 2$2.33 | โฌ 1.8$2.09 | Rome โ10% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โฌ 14$16.3 | โฌ 14$16.3 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โฌ 9$10.5 | โฌ 9$10.5 | similar |
| Transitone ride | โฌ 1.7$1.98 | โฌ 1.5$1.74 | Rome โ12% |
| Scooter rentalper day | โฌ 20$23.3 | โฌ 50$58.1 | Florence โ60% |
| Hotel night3-star | โฌ 140$163 | โฌ 130$151 | Rome โ7% |
| Studio rent (month) | โฌ 900$1,047 | โฌ 1,050$1,221 | Florence โ14% |
| Laundry | โฌ 4$4.65 | โฌ 3.5$4.07 | Rome โ12% |
| SIM card1 week data | โฌ 15$17.4 | โฌ 13$15.1 | Rome โ13% |
| Haircutcut | โฌ 19$22.1 | โฌ 20$23.3 | Florence โ5% |
| Massage1 hour | โฌ 60$69.8 | โฌ 55$64 | Rome โ8% |
| Half-day tourper person | โฌ 35$40.7 | โฌ 45$52.3 | Florence โ22% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โฌ 25$29.1 | โฌ 15$17.4 | Rome โ40% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Florence and Rome cost about the same. Daily budget $314 vs $290; a month $4,518 vs $4,804.
Florence is easier: Florence 2.2/5 vs Rome 2.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Florence is about $4,518 and Rome about $4,804 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.