Best fit: Digital Nomad (score: 73)
Florence sits at an elevation of 50 meters above sea level in the heart of Tuscany, operating on Central European Time (Europe/Rome). The city experiences a humid subtropical climate with very hot summers and cold winter nights, shaping life around its piazzas and riverbanks. For expats, the most popular neighborhoods cluster around the Ponte Vecchio area, where the large and active expat community tends to settle, drawn by the city's compact scale and walkable streets.
Living costs in Florence reflect its status as a mid-tier Italian city. A single adult's monthly budget excluding rent runs to $1,128, while a family of four spends $4,048 on the same essentials. Rents vary by location: a one-bedroom in the city center averages $1,563 per month, dropping to $1,042 outside the center; a three-bedroom in the center costs $2,752, versus $1,846 on the outskirts. Utilities add $245 monthly, internet $33, and a mobile phone plan $12. A monthly public transport pass is $44, a gym membership $63, an inexpensive restaurant meal $27 per person, a three-course mid-range dinner for two $78, and a cappuccino $2. The average monthly net salary locally is $1,992, and the overall cost of living index stands at 69 out of 100 (New York City equals 100).
Safety is a strong point: Florence has a safety index of 85 out of 100 and a crime index of just 15 out of 100 (lower is safer), making it one of Italy's more secure cities. Healthcare quality is rated as excellent, and English proficiency is common in tourist areas, easing daily life for newcomers. The air quality index is 55 (lower is better), and average internet speed is 90 Mbps, supporting remote work.
For those looking to stay long-term, two visa programs are available. The Italy Elective Residence Visa requires a minimum monthly income of $2,895, while the Italy Digital Nomad Visa sets the threshold at $2,615 per month. The nearest airport is Florence Airport (IATA: FLR), located 23 kilometers from the city center. With an overall expat score of 75 out of 100, a digital nomad score of 77, a FIRE score of 69, and a retiree score of 68, Florence suits a wide range of newcomers, from remote workers and early retirees to anyone seeking a safe, culturally rich base in central Italy.
Get a free moving cost estimate for moving to Florence, Italy. Takes 10 seconds.
How much are you shipping?
When are you moving?
Powered by Sirelo. Free quotes from international movers.
Florence at the budget tier comes to about $1,702 a month for one adult, with $1,042 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $190 on groceries, $107 on dining out, $29.00 on entertainment and lifestyle, $290 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,042/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$190/mo
75% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$107/mo
4 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$29.00/mo
1 cinema trip, 8 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$290/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Florence at the mid-range tier comes to about $2,011 a month for one adult, with $1,042 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $254 on groceries, $269 on dining out, $112 on entertainment and lifestyle, $290 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,042/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$254/mo
Staples basket scaled to a full month
Dining out
$269/mo
10 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$112/mo
gym, 2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$290/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Florence at the comfortable tier comes to about $2,800 a month for one adult, with $1,563 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $355 on groceries, $396 on dining out, $152 on entertainment and lifestyle, $290 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,563/mo
1BR in the centre
Groceries
$355/mo
140% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$396/mo
6 inexpensive meals + 6 mid-range meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$152/mo
gym, 4 cinema trips, 20 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$290/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.
A 1BR in the center runs about $1563.15/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.
See low-fee transfersWe may earn a commission at no cost to you.
See how Florence's cost of living compares with Castrocaro (Terra del Sole)
(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
(Higher is better)
Florence is genuinely safe for expats, with low violent crime and a strong police presence in tourist and residential areas. Petty theft—pickpocketing on crowded buses, bag snatching near the Duomo—remains the primary concern; use standard urban precautions. The historic center and neighborhoods like Santo Spirito are well-patrolled. Avoid isolated areas after dark and exercise normal vigilance with valuables. No significant geopolitical risks. For a 30-65 American, Florence presents a secure, stable environment with manageable, predictable risks typical of any European city.
Florence has a safety index of 57.85/100. Petty theft and lost belongings are the most common problems for newcomers. Compare travel insurance before you go.
Compare travel insuranceWe may earn a commission at no cost to you.
See how Florence's healthcare compares with Castrocaro (Terra del Sole)
Humid subtropical climate with very hot summers and cold winter nights.
Indices last read Nov 13, 2026.
Florence is a hub for art-loving nomads with plenty of coworking spaces.
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Impact Hub | Located at 16 Via Panciatichi, Firenze. |
| Marconi World Office | Located at Via Guglielmo Marconi 30, Firenze. |
| Smart Hub | Located at Via Quintino Sella 6/A, Firenze. |
| Smart Hub SRL | Located at 6a Via Quintino Sella, Firenze. |
Names, locations and hours can change. Check each space's website before you visit. Places from © OpenStreetMap contributors and Foursquare Open Source Places (Apache 2.0).
Planning to live in Florence long-term? Italy Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live legally with a minimum income of $2,615/month.
View full requirements →Working remotely from Florence? Nomad health insurance covers you across borders, month to month.
See nomad insuranceWe may earn a commission at no cost to you.
See how Florence's digital nomad life compares with Castrocaro (Terra del Sole)
Global cultural capital. Exceptionally walkable and safe with high English in tourist zones.
Notable areas of Florence, with descriptions adapted from public reference sources. Rent figures are Numbeo's city-wide averages, not prices for a specific area.
Conditions can change from one block to the next, and these descriptions are general guides, not safety assessments. Before choosing where to stay or live, check current travel advisories, talk to people who live there, and visit in person if you can.
The Metropolitan City of Florence is a metropolitan city in Tuscany, Italy, with the city of Florence as its capital. It replaced the province of Florence after a reform of local authorities and became operative afterward. It covers many municipalities across its territory.
Sources: Wikipedia
Novoli is a quarter in the northwestern section of Florence, Italy. It belonged to the former comune of Pellegrino until 1865, when it was incorporated into the comune of Florence.
Sources: Wikipedia
Peretola is a Florence suburb at the city's northern edge. It falls under Quartiere 5 - Rifredi administratively. The nearby international airport takes its name from the area.
Sources: Wikipedia
Coverciano is a neighborhood in southeastern Florence, bordered by the Affrico and Mensola streams, the slopes of the hills, and Via Aretina. It contains two parish churches, Santa Maria in Coverciano and St. Catherine of Siena. The area also holds the FIGC Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano, the Museo del Calcio, and the Florence section headquarters of the Italian Referees Association along with the sports judge of Florence.
Sources: Wikipedia
Descriptions adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Location data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $1563/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.
Many long-stay visas require proof of health insurance. Compare international health plans before you apply.
Compare health insuranceWe may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Earning over $2,615/mo? You may qualify for a Italy visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Click any question to expand the answer.
Cost-of-living and visa updates for Florence and the rest of Italy. Free with RA Postcards.
By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to RA Postcards and special offers from Rewire Abroad and our affiliates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and we encourage you to read more about our Privacy Policy.