Salary guide · IT
What salary do you need to live in Milan?
Rent in Milan ranges from €900 to €2,600/month. The salary you need depends on which tier you're aiming for. Despite the numbers, the median Milan renter spends 33% of income on rent — above the 30% guideline — because many earn less than the "comfortable" threshold.
Salary thresholds for Milan
Afford the cheapest 10% of rentals (€900/mo) spending 35% of income
Tight but possible in budget-end areas
Afford median rent (€1,500/mo) at the recommended 30% rule
Standard benchmark for financial stability
Afford upper-tier rent (€2,600/mo) spending 25% of income
Room for savings and lifestyle spending
How Milan renters actually spend
Source: ISTAT housing survey + Numbeo crowdsourced data (2023) · 2023
Context: Milan median income
The "comfortable" salary threshold (€60,000/yr) is 76% above the city median income — explaining why housing costs are a pressure point for many local residents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to live in Milan?
To afford budget-level accommodation (bottom 10% of the market, around €900/month) without spending more than 35% of income on rent, you need roughly €30,857/year gross.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Milan?
Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At Milan's median rent of €1,500/month, that requires a gross annual salary of at least €60,000.
Is €34,000/year enough to live in Milan?
The city median income of €34,000/year is below the €60,000 needed to comfortably afford median rent at 30%. This is why 33% of Milan renters spend more than the 30% guideline on housing.
Explore specific salaries in Milan
Profession guides for Milan