Italian asking rents continued to edge upwards, reaching a new national record and reinforcing the pressure on tenants in many popular cities and regions.
According to idealista’s latest rental price analysis for May 2026, average advertised rents across the country hit €15 per m² per month, the highest level since the portal began tracking the market. Therefore, an 85m²-apartment now costs around €1,275 per month.
Italy’s rental market in May 2026 in a nutshell
It’s a good idea to check out the rental market when considering renting an apartment in Italy. This is especially the case for first-time renters who can often make mistakes when taking the leap.
- National average asking rent: €15 /m² (new all-time high).
- Monthly change vs April 2026: +0.4%.
- Annual change vs May 2025: +2.2%.
- Among 87 provincial capitals: 41 rising, 43 falling, 3 stable.
How much does it cost to rent in Italy’s main cities?
Italy’s major cities remain among the most expensive places to rent, even where prices dipped slightly in May.
- Milan: €23.2 /m²
- Still the most expensive major city for tenants.
- Monthly change: −0.3%.
- Florence: €21.8 /m²
- Venice: €21.7 /m²
- Rome: €19.8 /m²
- Monthly change: +0.1%.
- This level marks a new record high for the capital’s asking rents.
Cheapest Italian cities for renters
The gap between Italy’s most and least expensive cities is significant, with several southern capitals offering comparatively low asking rents.
|
Estimated monthly rent for 85 m² (€) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Milan |
23.2 |
1,972 |
|
Florence |
21.8 |
1,853 |
|
Venice |
21.7 |
1,845 |
|
Rome |
19.8 |
1,683 |
|
Caltanissetta |
4.6 |
391 |
|
Vibo Valentia |
5.9 |
502 |
|
Ragusa |
6.4 |
544 |
|
Reggio Calabria |
6.5 |
553 |
Cities such as Caltanissetta, Vibo Valentia, Ragusa and Reggio Calabria are among the most affordable markets in Italy on a per‑square‑metre basis.
Provincial rental hotspots and low-cost areas
Looking beyond the main cities, the provincial picture in May was predominantly upwards. Out of 106 provinces monitored, 60 saw rising asking rents, 45 registered declines and 1 remained unchanged.
The strongest monthly increases were:
- Grosseto: +11.6%.
- Latina: +10.1%.
- Sassari: +8.7%.
- Rieti: +8.1%.
- Vercelli: +7.9%.
- Aosta: +7.2%.
The most expensive provinces for renting in Italy
On a provincial level, some areas now outprice even Milan city when rents are measured per square metre.
In May 2026, the most expensive provinces were:
- Lucca: €29.3/m² – the highest average rent of any Italian province, with an average monthly rent of €2,490
- Aosta: €26.6/m²
- Belluno: €26.6/m²
- Grosseto: €23.9/m²
- Milan province: €22.2/m²
For tenants looking at coastal Tuscany, Alpine areas or scenic smaller cities, these figures show that rental costs in some provincial markets can be higher than those in large metropolitan centres.
Affordable Italian provinces for budget-conscious foreigners
At the other end of the scale, several southern and inland provinces remain comparatively inexpensive:
- Caltanissetta: €5.5/m², meaning an 85m²-apartment costs €467.50 per month
- Enna: €5.8/m²
- Isernia: €6.2/m²
- Potenza: €6.2/m²
- Avellino: €6.4/m²
Enna stands out not only for its low level but also for the sharp fall of 16.3% in May. Overall, the provincial data underline the strong north–south and inland–coastal contrasts within Italy’s rental market.
Regional rental prices in Italy: where rents are highest
At regional level, asking rents rose in 14 out of 20 regions in May 2026. The largest monthly increases were recorded in:
- Valle d’Aosta: +7,2%
- Friuli‑Venezia Giulia: +3,4%.
- Sardinia: +2,9%
- Emilia‑Romagna: +2,1%
For foreigners considering regions such as Sardinia, Emilia‑Romagna or Lazio (home to Rome), the upward trend in these averages suggests growing competition for rentals.
The most expensive regions by average rent
idealista’s May 2026 figures show clear differences between regions, with a handful standing above the national average of 15 €/m²:
- Valle d’Aosta: €26.6/m² – the most expensive region in Italy, at €2, 261 per month for a standard flat
- Lombardy: €19.5/m²
- Tuscany: €18.7/m²
- Lazio: €17/m²
- Trentino‑Alto Adige/Südtirol: €15,9/m²
Methodology – how idealista calculates Italian rental prices
All the figures in this article come from idealista’s rental price index for May 2026, which is based on advertised asking rents rather than signed contracts. This approach provides a snapshot of current asking levels across Italy and allows for consistent comparisons between different parts of the country.
Key takeaways for foreigners renting in Italy
For new renters considering Italy in 2026, idealista’s May data point to several clear trends:
- Rents are at a historic high nationally
- Major cities remain expensive: Milan is still the costliest large city, while Rome has reached a new record high at 19.8 €/m².
- Some provincial areas now outpace big cities, with Lucca, Aosta, Belluno and Grosseto recording higher average rents than many urban centres.
- Southern and inland provinces remain more affordable, with advertised rents less than half the national average in some areas
Together, these figures give a detailed picture of Italy’s rental landscape in May 2026, helping foreign tenants compare locations and understand how far their budget may stretch across different cities, provinces and regions.
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Source: https://www.idealista.it/