Best fit: FIRE / Geoarbitrage (score: 67)
Varese sits at 382 meters above sea level in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, just a short drive from the Swiss border. Its humid continental climate brings warm summers from June through August and cold, often snowy winters from December through February, typical of the area near the Alps and lakes. The city's expat community is medium-sized, and popular neighborhoods for foreigners include Centro and Casbeno, where you can find a mix of historic architecture and everyday conveniences.
Living costs in Varese are reasonable compared to major Italian cities. A single adult's monthly expenses excluding rent come to $1,175, while a family of four spends $4,277 per month on the same items. Rents are modest: a one-bedroom in the city center averages $928 per month, dropping to $717 outside the center. A three-bedroom in the center runs $1,716 per month, and outside the center it's $1,601. Utilities add $221 monthly, internet is $33, and a mobile phone plan costs just $13. A monthly public transport pass is $50, and a gym membership is $54. Eating out is affordable: an inexpensive restaurant meal is $22 per person, a three-course mid-range dinner for two is $101, and a cappuccino is $2. The average monthly net salary locally is $2,365, which covers the comfortable tier total of $2,031 per month for a single adult including rent.
Safety is strong in Varese, with a safety index of 77 out of 100 and a low crime index of 23 out of 100 (lower is safer). Healthcare quality is rated as excellent, and the air quality index is 58 (lower is better). English proficiency is limited, so some basic Italian goes a long way in daily life.
For those looking to stay long-term, Italy offers two main visa paths. The Italy Elective Residence Visa requires a minimum monthly income of $2,895, while the Italy Digital Nomad Visa has a minimum monthly income threshold of $2,615. The nearest airport is MXP (Milan Malpensa). Varese suits retirees (retiree score: 62/100), digital nomads (digital nomad score: 66/100), and those pursuing FIRE (FIRE score: 69/100), with an overall expat score of 67 out of 100.
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Varese at the budget tier comes to about $1,342 a month for one adult, with $717 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $189 on groceries, $90.00 on dining out, $29.00 on entertainment and lifestyle, $267 on utilities and connectivity and $50.00 on transport.
Rent
$717/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$189/mo
75% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$90.00/mo
4 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$29.00/mo
1 cinema trip, 8 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$267/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$50.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Varese at the mid-range tier comes to about $1,614 a month for one adult, with $717 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $252 on groceries, $224 on dining out, $104 on entertainment and lifestyle, $267 on utilities and connectivity and $50.00 on transport.
Rent
$717/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$252/mo
Staples basket scaled to a full month
Dining out
$224/mo
10 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$104/mo
gym, 2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$267/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$50.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Varese at the comfortable tier comes to about $2,179 a month for one adult, with $928 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $353 on groceries, $437 on dining out, $144 on entertainment and lifestyle, $267 on utilities and connectivity and $50.00 on transport.
Rent
$928/mo
1BR in the centre
Groceries
$353/mo
140% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$437/mo
6 inexpensive meals + 6 mid-range meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$144/mo
gym, 4 cinema trips, 20 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$267/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$50.00/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 $927.7/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.
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Varese is a genuinely safe city for expats, with low violent crime and a calm, orderly atmosphere typical of northern Italy. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur occasionally in crowded areas and train stations, but serious crime is rare. The main practical concerns are standard European ones: secure your bike, avoid displaying valuables, and be cautious near the train station at night. The city's affluent character and strong police presence make it an excellent choice for remote workers and retirees seeking a secure, walkable community without the intensity of larger Italian cities.
Varese has a safety index of 54.99/100. Petty theft and lost belongings are the most common problems for newcomers. Compare travel insurance before you go.
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Varese has a humid continental climate with warm summers (June-August) and cold, often snowy winters (December-February), typical of northern Italy near the Alps and lakes.
Indices last read Nov 13, 2026.
Varese offers stunning lakeside views and a tranquil environment.
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Coworking Smart Hub Varese | Located near the city center, Coworking Smart Hub Varese offers a modern and professional environment. It provides essential amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and printing services, making it suitable for digital nomads seeking a productive workspace. |
| Regus Varese | Regus Varese offers a reliable and globally recognized coworking experience. Situated in a central business district, it provides fully equipped offices, meeting rooms, and virtual office services, appealing to expats who value convenience and professionalism. |
| Spazio Coworking Varese | Located in the heart of Varese, Spazio Coworking Varese offers a collaborative and creative atmosphere. With flexible desk options, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities, it's a great choice for remote workers looking to connect with the local community. |
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 Varese 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 Varese? Nomad health insurance covers you across borders, month to month.
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Varese is a wealthy garden city near Milan and the Swiss border. It hosts many international staff from the nearby EU JRC.
Notable areas of Varese, 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.
Caronno Pertusella is a town and comune in the province of Varese, Lombardy, northern Italy, with a population of about 17,775. It has a train station served by Milan's suburban railway lines S1 and S3. Cardinal Giovanni Colombo, Archbishop of Milan in the mid-20th century, was born there.
Numbeo city average, outside-center: $717 (updated Nov 13, 2026)
Sources: Wikipedia
Casbeno is a neighborhood in southern Varese, overlooking Lake Varese. It was once a rural fraction of the city and has grown since the sixties, with about 4,000 inhabitants. Around Piazzale Libertà are the provincial police headquarters and the Province offices. Villa Recalcati, built by Simone Cantoni in 1778, houses the prefect and the Province. The parish church of San Vittore and the sanctuary of Schirannetta are also there.
Numbeo city average, center: $928 (updated Nov 13, 2026)
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 $928/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.
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