Cost of Living in Puglia (And Why Salento Is Surprisingly Affordable)
Living in Salento means you can travel more!
Before I moved to Italy, I naively assumed the entire country had one standard cost of living — like a nationwide Mediterranean price list.
Spoiler: Italy is actually a patchwork of mini-economies. Milan is a different universe from Lecce. Florence is not Bologna. And Salento, located in Puglia? It’s one of the most affordable, comfortable and joyful places an Australian can live.
If you're considering a move, here’s exactly how Salento stacks up against the rest of Italy
1. Rent (Salento wins by a mile)
Rent is where you really feel the difference.
Average rent in Salento (Lecce + surrounding towns):
€450–€850/month for a 1–2 bedroom
€850–€1,200 for something larger or newly renovated
€350–€500 in smaller towns outside Lecce
Average rent in northern & central Italy (Florence, Milan, Bologna):
€1,000–€1,600/month for a basic 1–2 bedroom
€1,800–€2,500+ for anything modern
And yes… if you want sunlight, insulation, or plumbing that behaves, expect to pay more.
Rent alone makes a massive difference to your long-term lifestyle and financial comfort.
2. Eating Out (your wallet will thank you)
One of the biggest perks of Salento? You can actually enjoy Italy without calculating the cost of every coffee.
Salento prices:
Espresso: €1-€2
Aperitivo: €5–€10
Dinner for two with wine: €35–€50
Fresh pasticciotti: dangerously affordable
Big city prices:
Aperitivo: €10–€15
Dinner: €60–€100+
You really can go out here regularly without feeling like you’re burning through your savings.
3. Groceries & Markets
Salento is blessed with local produce; tomatoes, olive oil, seafood, seasonal fruit, weekly open-air markets — and the prices tend to reflect that.
Groceries in Salento are typically 10–20% cheaper than in northern or central Italy, especially if you shop like a local rather than relying solely on supermarkets.
4. Transport
Public transport exists and is very affordable, but realistically, you’ll want a car at some point.
The upside:
Train tickets are cheap
Buses cost very little
Parking is plentiful outside major towns
The reality:
You’ll use your car more than you would in Milan, Rome or Bologna.
5. Lifestyle Costs (this is where Salento shines)
Some of the best parts of living here cost nothing at all:
Beaches? Free, stunning, plentiful.
Markets? Affordable and abundant.
Walkable historic centres? Everywhere.
Outdoor lifestyle? Built into the culture.
Living well here doesn’t require spending big.
So… is Salento a good place to live?
If you want:
✔ sunshine
✔ lower cost of living
✔ friendly people
✔ space
✔ incredible food
✔ a slower, warmer, more joyful pace
…then yes: Salento is one of the best choices you can make. And once you're here, you’ll understand why so many people never leave.
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