Salary guide · IT
What salary do you need to live in Rome?
Rent in Rome ranges from €650 to €1,900/month. The salary you need depends on which tier you're aiming for. Despite the numbers, the median Rome renter spends 36% of income on rent — above the 30% guideline — because many earn less than the "comfortable" threshold.
Salary thresholds for Rome
Afford the cheapest 10% of rentals (€650/mo) spending 35% of income
Tight but possible in budget-end areas
Afford median rent (€1,100/mo) at the recommended 30% rule
Standard benchmark for financial stability
Afford upper-tier rent (€1,900/mo) spending 25% of income
Room for savings and lifestyle spending
How Rome renters actually spend
Source: ISTAT housing survey + Numbeo crowdsourced data (2023) · 2023
Context: Rome median income
The "comfortable" salary threshold (€44,000/yr) is 57% 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 Rome?
To afford budget-level accommodation (bottom 10% of the market, around €650/month) without spending more than 35% of income on rent, you need roughly €22,286/year gross.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Rome?
Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At Rome's median rent of €1,100/month, that requires a gross annual salary of at least €44,000.
Is €28,000/year enough to live in Rome?
The city median income of €28,000/year is below the €44,000 needed to comfortably afford median rent at 30%. This is why 36% of Rome renters spend more than the 30% guideline on housing.
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Profession guides for Rome