THE REAL COST OF LIVING IN ITALY. THIS IS HOW MUCH GROCERIES COST IN ITALY. LIVING IN ITALY

Hi everyone, welcome back to our channel.
Let's talk cost of living today. I think it is very important for someone considering a move to any country to be aware of how much things are. Sure, you can hear about average prices of things or the cost of living for the average Italian family. But I thought that it would be a lot more helpful to you if I showed you the price of individual items, so that can extrapolate this to your own circumstances and to how much your family consumes these individual foods for example.
I will also share the prices of things like gas, electricity and petrol by litre, cubic meter, etc, so that you can work out how much it would COST YOU!
I hope you enjoy this episode, as always please let us know what you think in the comments.
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If you would like to know what has been our biggest financial drain, watch this video:
• LIVING in ITALY. Our b...
If you would like to see our facade before and after, click here:
• LIVING IN ITALY. OUR H...
You can watch our kitchen renovations part 1 and part 2 here:
• LIVING IN ITALY. ITALI...
and
• FINISHING our ITALIAN ...
If you would like to know our plans for 2023, click here:
• LIVING in ITALY. ITALI...
If you would like to know how we found our home, please click here:
• ITALIAN HOMES FOR SALE...
If you would like to know why we were in a situation in which we had to purchase a second home in Italy, click here:
• The Italian bureaucrac...

[@talesfromtuscany]

In general I find living in Italy so much more affordable than in Australia. We live totally differently, that's for sure but the quality of life is far better for us, especially as we have no mortgage in Italy either. That's really the thing that breaks most people I find. I'm glad we've both found our "happy place" here in Bellissima Italia! You're doing a great job ...love it! Ciao guys and see you next time! 🥰🤗😘☺

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Marisa. Thanks watching. Those 30 years mortgages are brutal, aren't they 😢

[@talesfromtuscany]

@@rossinniandco that’s for sure!!! Viva l’Italia! ♥️

[@jeffconley819]

How was your adjustment to living in Italy . My heart says do it and my wife says let’s do it…..but I tend to move slowly when it comes to change. Do the local people accept you into their community ..??

[@talesfromtuscany]

@@jeffconley819 perhaps my situation is slightly different as I speak fluent Italian, however, many expats in my village don’t and they’ve been embraced by the community, just as we have from day 1. I think it’s all down to attitude and choosing your area as it’s true, some places are more welcoming than others. I did my research beforehand. I made a major change like this in my 30s as well, moving to a French village for 10 years, so I’ve experienced this massive challenge before and just take everything in my stride. With the right mindset, anything is doable! Have courage 😀🙌🏼🇮🇹♥️

[@rossinniandco]

@@jeffconley819 Hi guys, we had no trouble adjusting to living here. Aden always felt at home every time he visited Italy and never really felt at home in Australia, even though he was born there. We have been through a lot due to our particular circumstances regarding the application for Aden's Citizenship by descent. A lot of stress and a lot of uncertainty, and even then, I wouldn't change it for the world! I think you may find this video interesting 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2HWkH1jmd6sotE If you have some financial stability that can support you here, I would say, go for it 🤗❤️

[@maxwellwellmax878]

When I was in Milano last October I shopped at Penny, Pam and Carrefour. Everything was more expensive compared to what Im used to here in the States, But i feel some items in Italy were better Quality.

[@rossinniandco]

😐

[@Shauma_llama]

Yes, in the US you have to wonder how poisonous our food is to us.

[@olgasampis9745]

South is way cheaper. Calabria, puglia

[@christinehedary1491]

Thank you for sharing, the prices of the food is much less than what I see here in Texas, the utilities are maybe a little higher, but not too bad, maybe you can get Solar in the future and save on Electricity, I have solar and it does help alot. I love that you share every day things in your life, since this is what life is all about, everyday experiences. I can't wait to see you guys working on the garden.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Christine. Yes, hoping to be able to put solar one day so I don't have to worry about having scolding showers in winter 😂. We have started on the garden already. I have so many videos recorded over a long time and they're a bit of a mess to sort through, but hoping to make it soon 🤗

[@seamusmullarkey5996]

So interesting and detailed. Prices are so much cheaper than where I live in suburban New York city. Some grocery items are between twice and three times more expensive here - and I'm sure of superior quality in Italy. I haven't been to Italy in over 10 years but your channel is making me think of taking a trip there before too long. Thanks again for such wonderful videos.

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

Sir, my country is more expensive that Italy and USA... Responder

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Seamus I'm so happy to know you're feeling like visiting again 🤗. I would say that quality-wise Italian produce is higher than many places I've been to. Something very important to note is that in Italy GMO products are banned, so let's hope that lasts!

[@beaulong]

Well… a lot of places are cheaper than nyc…. ;)

[@seamusmullarkey5996]

@@beaulong absolutely - just pointing out specifics about how much so

[@connieb.6061]

@@seamusmullarkey5996 hello! NY is huge, there is no comparison also other places in italy are more expensive

[@ibislife]

Wow, I see the prices are picking up in Italy as well. How much has food risen over the last year? Norway used to be the most expensive country in Europe when it comes to food, guess we still are, and you might double the prices, because we import mostly everything during winter, except from dairy, fish and meat. Very nice selection of everything 💕

[@rossinniandco]

Hi. Thanks for the comment. I forgot bread 🍞! How I missed that is beyond me LOL €2.50 a kilo in our town.

[@ronaldpeters8751]

Interesting video. You are producing a lot of videos and I see your channel is growing! Congratulations and best wishes for continued growth and success!

[@rossinniandco]

Thank you so much Ronald 😀.

[@jean-philippeplanas9682]

Most interesting and pleasant. Thank you.

[@riverratbond007]

Thank you for another wonderful video, you are living the dream!

[@rossinniandco]

Thanks you 🤗

[@godscountryhomestead1177]

Thank you! This is great information. ❤️🙏

[@rossinniandco]

You are so welcome

[@joyce2077]

Thank you. It's valuable information 😊

[@GoogleAccount-hz2co]

Very informative thanks👍⭐️😊

[@rossinniandco]

Thanks 😀

[@heyitsTonya]

Can you make more videos like this please? I found the information so helpful.

[@sherrypeterson11]

My sister and I shopped there, I hate to say the cashiers are not always nice. But with that said we love Sicily and hope to return….❤️🇮🇹❤️🇮🇹🌻

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@johnbillinghurst4351]

Hi from the U.K.. I bet your American viewers must be spitting feathers as the $ is now equal to the €. Your Italian food prices are so reasonable, not to bad in the UK so far… great videos… 😊

[@rossinniandco]

👍 Thanks John

[@pascalfl2610]

Very Informative.

[@rossinniandco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rajeshpareek3390]

No matter what it costs , your life and experience in molise is priceless!

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Rajesh, it does matter when the electricity bill arrives 😂 Thanks for watching 😉

[@rajeshpareek3390]

Agreed , yeah Goto watch the bills ; I heard fuel and electricity is expensive in Italy compared to USA.

[@rossinniandco]

@@rajeshpareek3390 I have heard that too. Petrol is more expensive here than in Australia

[@lucigeddes6529]

This has been both interesting and informative as i one day plan to buy a home in either Calabria or Puglia - faaaaar from the cold and snow!! Most of the food prices are cheaper than here in South Africa, the gas and electricity is alot more though but hopefully we won't need much heating for our home in southern Italy with its Mediterranean climate. Seeing the prices helps me alot for sure....can't wait to move over. Keep up the great shows, love your content, always relevant and interesting for someone wanting to make the move over!! Ciao

[@rossinniandco]

Thanks Luci, I'm glad it is helpful. There are so many details to look into before making such a decision, and I'm happy to share the info ☺️

[@lucigeddes6529]

@@rossinniandco ....thank you so much, i will certainly be in touch once I have chosen the area where I want to buy. Your help will be most appreciated and until then, I will keep watching your great videos. Ciao Ciao

[@tinalettieri]

It can get cold. Especially in the mountains. ABut 3-4 winters ago, the whole south was covered in unusual snow. Don't get rid of your winter clothing yet. I bought myself a winter coat in Salerno because it was better, even being Chinese, than anything I can get here in Israel.

[@roberts4024]

Really enjoying your videos and your journey so far... I love the way your new house is shaping up. Your place looks so charming! I like your sense of style. This video was very helpful... we're still in the daydreaming stage of our plans. I've been researcing the Abruzzo region. Also looking at Molise, thanks to your videos. Are there any healthfood stores locally or in Teramo? What about those hard to find imported items like masa harina, quinoa, short grain brown rice? The food in Italy looks great! Thanks again for sharing your journey with us! 😄

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Robert. Thanks for your comments. I haven't been to Teramo as yet. For what I see, healthfood stores are not huge here, at least in this area, but there are shops that kind of look like pharmacies, without being pharmacies and you can get some things there. For example, in Termoli near the train station there is a store where we can get the leaves of different types, coconut oil, Himalayan sea salt, essential oils and things like that. For mass, I don't know if you refer for example to Harina Pan, which is very much used by Venezuelans and us, Colombians, we can get it an African store also near the train station in Termoli. The guy also sells Basmati rice, which we love and other imported goods. Hope this helps

[@roberts4024]

Thanks for replying to my post. That's good to know... Yes, stores that cater to immigrant communities would most likely have what I'd be looking for. Quinoa, brown rice and cornmeal are dietary staples for me at this time. I'm in the USA. Corn tortillas are very easy to find where I live right now. Masa harina (or something similar, maybe fine ground polenta) would allow me to make my own corn tortillas!👍 Everything else, meat, fish, cheeses, fruit and vegetables are so readily available. I'd just need to sort out the grains.

[@cfonde]

Spaghetti in the USA is now about 2 X the price you showed at Conad.

[@joseluisrojascosme4018]

Almost everything she showed is double or more here in the US. Even in Puerto Rico where I am a dozen eggs is $7.00 impressed from the mainland USA. Local eggs are $3.99 a dozen. Puerto Rico depends a lot on the US for Food so everything is expensive here.

[@cfonde]

@@joseluisrojascosme4018 -- Let's go, Brandon. I agree.

[@rossinniandco]

Wow! 😯

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

In my country, the spaghetti price is 5x the price at Conad. I have just paid for 1/2 kg (500 g) of Molisana Pasta near US$ 2.95 and the same for Di Cecco Pasta US$ 3.50. The price is more expensive for Gragnano's past (Example, Garofalo): the price is around US$ 4 for 1/2 kg (500 g).

[@rossinniandco]

@@felicemonteferrante8119 Is that in Venezuela?

[@heidibeechuk9203]

Will be visiting soon and wondered if the wine you looked at has a screw cap or cork? We will be on a cruise and did not want to bring a bottle opener for wine😊Thanks!

[@danasandlin2435]

in summer especially, when we prepare food, we try to do it with as little heat as possible (no large ovens)...we use toaster ovens, microwave ovens, or slow cookers/instant pots/airfryers, to try to conserve on heat and cook as quickly as possible (so as not to overheat the kitchen and our bodies)...we keep an small table top ice machine going at all times to add ice to drinks to cool us...dts/usa

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@jeffconley819]

This is exactly the information we need to know. Once we have the property what are all the other expenses. Thankyou

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Jeff. Do you mean, once you own it?

[@jeffconley819]

The prices you list are very close to what I pay here in the US. Some are cheaper.

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@sonyasvab8238]

Hi ! How do you usually pay in cash or card? In Conad or supermarkets? Thanks! Enjoying the channel you have had a challenging time but I am sure all will work out great for you both.

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

You can pay in card: no problem. In the past, when i have gone to Molise, i used debt or credit card without problem, at Conad, Oasi or anywhere.

[@rossinniandco]

Thanks Sonya. We pay either with cash or card in supermarkets. We try to pay cash when we buy little things like a coffee or a pastry as processing fees are high for small businesses. In Italy there is a restriction on how much cash you can use in transactions. It used to be about €1,900 than it was brought down to about €990 but the new government said it was going to be increased back to €1,900 I think from March or so? In any case, even if you pay cash everyone gives you a receipt, because they're afraid they will be fined if they don't, and apparently as a customer, you are obligated to ask for the receipt as well, as apparently you also can get in trouble for not asking for it. A bit out there if you ask me 🤷‍♀️

[@briansearle8151]

Interesting content Im sure the prices are half of what we are charged in New Zealand.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Brian, if NZ is anything like AU, I would say so ☹️

[@JohnHillmanMillar]

I was amazed at the prices we paid in Lake Como area in 2019 compared to home in Australia. Especially cigarettes

[@rossinniandco]

So much tax on cigarettes and alcohol in OZ!!

[@maryviolasse2846]

So reasonable...eggs 6.49 here

[@rossinniandco]

😯 Is that in the US?

[@maryviolasse2846]

Yes...California

[@catherinelw9365]

@@rossinniandco I paid $3.00 for a dozen cage free eggs in SW USA (not Calif.!)

[@user-ps6uy5fc5q]

interesting! even with the exchange, this is less than prices in Canada...except the butter! not sure why :)

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

Ciao, guys. It was at Conad of Termoli. Could you see at Oasi, also in Termoli.

[@rossinniandco]

Ciao Felice. I think Oasi is the one in LA Fontana shopping centre

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

@@rossinniandco Yes, it is Centro Commerciale La Fontana.

[@terranwoolley4226]

Much cheaper than here in USA andswe won’t even start about how much cheaper property and life expectancy. We hope to be gone in the next 5-7 years. Ciao!

[@rossinniandco]

@@terranwoolley4226 All the best Terran. How exciting!

[@felicemonteferrante8119]

@@terranwoolley4226 Sir, my country is more expensive that Italy and USA...

[@beaulong]

What part of Italy are you in. I was thinking the boot heel. Lecce and such.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi, BL. This is in Molise

[@Subgunman]

Interesting prices some are on par with those in Greece. You mention a 22% tax on imported goods, does that mean even goods coming into Italy from the EU and Schengen Zone? In Greece there is a tax of 13% for food items, there is a 24% tax on everything else including soft drinks, paper goods, alcoholic beverages, electric, gas, automobile purchases, electronics, furniture and the list goes on. They want to add an additional tax on one’s income tax if you own a home over 100 sq meters, a second car, cars manufactured before 2006. The latter is a joke, if they want people to upgrade to lower polluting cars they need to cut the tax to 10%. In the States we paid a sales tax of around 7% for everything except food items which are exempt, it is a sin to tax food. One must also keep in mind that in the states prices DO NOT INCLUDE TAX. It’s added on. Customs is another joke. They want to charge 24% tax on everything coming into the country via Courior or mail. This includes tax on the postage paid by the sender. A real case of theft.

[@danasandlin2435]

This is one of the first supermarkets that I have seen in Italy...most of the videos that I have seen have people shopping in small family markets or outdoors markets...dts/usa

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@hmuench64]

That was very interesting... From my visits in Calabria I remember that Conad was more in the medium price range. But nevertheless I was surprised by the fact, that the prices are significantly higher than they are here in Germany and I'm wondering how the average Italian gets along with these. Is there a Lidl Market in your surrounding? When we were in Brancaleone the Locals advised us to go there. The prices for electricity and gas are about the same here in Germany. But however... We don't want to move to Italy because of lower prices. It is because of the higher quality of life.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Holger. There's quite a bit of choice when it comes down to supermarkets here, way more than in Australia, I feel. There's a Eurospin, which is cheaper. Lidl is in a town not far. Carefour and Conad seem to be more expensive than the others.

[@hmuench64]

@@rossinniandco Yes, what I liked about the bigger Conad-Markets was the great presentation of the food and the varietey of the offered products. As a German I was also very surprised, that Lidl (German company) was presenting their meat, vegetables and fresh pasta in Italy like jewels (compared to Germany). If I would have to nail it with one sentence, I would say: "The Germans are eating to get the energy for doing their exhausting work and in the evening they are drinking beer to forget about it while the Iltalians are eating to enjoy the meal and the taste and in the evening they are joining a glass of good local wine to celebrate their life!" 🤣

[@tinalettieri]

They don't go to SUPERMARKETS with their corporate pricing!!! They shop the open markets or small shops.

[@HopeLaFleur1975]

Just like Canada our alcohol is sky high! Pasta is great price...we don't have a 1 kg option!! Best prices in Italy compared to Canada for sure!❤..Italy seems to not like exporting all this great pasta brands we are limited to a few good ones but definitely theses brands seem great...and prices are excellent! Tell me why is Italy so guarded in exporting their many pasta varieties 😮

[@rossinniandco]

Hi. I don't know if it is Italy doing that. Some of the brands you saw on the video are supermarket brands, so perhaps they're not too big to take on an export deal? On the other hand, it may have to do with what free trade agreements the exporting and importing country have at the moment

[@deanl0]

The main difference is that in Canada and the Us all local pasta are Gmo and they don't have to mention it. which in Europe it's always non Gmo so always buy Italian Pasta

[@irenelodolce3389]

We loved Conrad in Termoli

[@rossinniandco]

It's so well stocked!

[@olgasampis9745]

Enjoy your videos. Fiorella, is Spanish your main language? Was just wondering….

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Olga. Yes it is Thanks for watching 😉

[@tinalettieri]

Try not going to the supermarket. When I recently spent a month in Salerno there was a whole row of small shops just down the street from my B&B. There were 2 alimentari, a specialty butcher who was still not terribly expensive. They also had some premade dishes and a few alimentari type products. There was a green grocer in that same row and a fish market. A few meters away on the other end of that street was a bakery and two more green grocers. My grocery bill was ridiculously low and I ate like a queen. Salerno doesn't have an open market, I don't know why but when I stay in a city that does, like Catania, I always shop there. The pescheria in Catania was my favorite.

[@rossinniandco]

What you can get and how to get it totally depends on how big a place is. Salerno has over 100K people, the place we live in about 1,400

[@tinalettieri]

@rossinniandco you can still shop the alimentary and mercantile in the nearest city. My ancestral town doesn't have any shops to speak of so people have to drive anyway.

[@rossinniandco]

Exactly 👍

[@Paul-yd6rr]

Can you talk about health care? We are planning to retire there, but have questions about access to doctors and specialists. We will have citizenship, so it isn't a question of if we can see a doctor. We are more interested in how you feel about the doctors and regional Healthcare. Thanks in advance.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi. We haven't had much experience on the subject besides a recent visit to the emergency room which I posted on my personal channel. You can watch that video here 👇 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWKac5imfM-br80

[@emiliaavagyan781]

compared to US , prices are not cheap, some of are even cost more. I wonder how with those prices real estate is still remais so cheep in Italy.

[@rossinniandco]

🤷‍♀️

[@linnea9017]

Fuel,gas,electricity was not cheap for sure. Last two around 2/# of norwegian prices. Fuel varying from 1/3 to a bit less. I lived in gran canaria (spain) for two years and I saw differences clearly. Italy is more expensive. However. Sice then the pandemic and now the was and crisis all over might have changed that. So it is probably the same.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Linnea. Yes, I think it is a problem everywhere. Even my family in Colombia keep telling me how expensive everyday items like eggs and meat are right now ☹️

[@EricOnYouTube]

Things seems to be a lot cheaper there... except gas.

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Eric. Yes, food is not too bad, and if you live in a small town you will most likely have neighbours that share their surplus vegetables with you 😀🤗

[@MsWarriordiva]

Compared to the US.

[@SteveGrin]

Fruits and veggies are priced right over there, our prices are stupid in the USA

[@rossinniandco]

Same in OZ

[@AnoJanJan]

So some things are cheaper & others more expensive compared to Australia. In general, how would you compare the cost of living? Also, what part of Australia were you living in? Thanks 🌸

[@rossinniandco]

Ciao. We lived in many, many cities. Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Hobart and Brisbane

[@HCproductionsss]

Hola 👋🏼

[@rossinniandco]

Hola HC

[@katerinasaval7673]

super

[@rossinniandco]

Thank you

[@josephjuanaliagavalenzuela2345]

The prices are avg 10% higher than here near Florence… I thought the southern was cheaper 😱

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Joseph, it may depend on the supermarket as well. For example, I recently found milk cheaper at another supermarket we hadn't been to.

[@josephjuanaliagavalenzuela2345]

@@rossinniandco yeah, I also just compared prices between Esselunga and Coop. The milk was 1,40-1,70€ at Esselunga and 0,90-1,30€ at Coop. Tuna was 7-9€/kg at Esselunga and 9-11€/kg at Coop 😱. I guess you win and lose some, but overall Coop seemed cheaper than Esselunga. I would like to visit comas and Lidl but those are too far away.. Thank you for the vid ✨

[@rossinniandco]

Wow those are pretty big differences! Thanks for watching 😉

[@elm9391]

Italy is nice but taxes here are ridiculous. I'm engineer with 4000EUR salary and after all taxes I'm left with 2500. I feel pooor af here.

[@MrGrand2000]

Hard to compare since we use pounds and ounces In America…

[@rossinniandco]

You can always convert 🤷‍♀️

[@sandrabeltman9418]

Oh my goodness, almost dribbling here at the sight of the lovely Italian foods - the Italian people definitely had their priorities sorted when they made (I guess it goes back a long way) G-O-O-D F-O-O-D so important!!! 🍅🥬🧀 .

[@rossinniandco]

So true Sandra! 😋

[@carlaestrada8877]

Price range of dog & cat food PLEASE

[@rossinniandco]

This is a good site for reference www.bauzaar.it/

[@abelromero4373]

I'm still unclear about food pricing.

[@rossinniandco]

🤷‍♀️per ché?

[@doomie21]

De prijzen in Italië zijn hetzelfde als in mijn land. Sommige producten zijn duurder, anderen zijn weer goedkoper maar het totaalbedrag is ongeveer hetzelfde.

[@rossinniandco]

Ciao. What's your country? Thanks for watching 😉

[@doomie21]

@@rossinniandco Nederland 😀

[@rossinniandco]

@@doomie21 👍

[@skeptigal4626]

In some cases half of what things cost in California.

[@rossinniandco]

And there always cheaper places if one wants to shop around

[@monacophotographyevents2384]

I live in Monaco and have a house in Italy, I find Italy, in comparison to the UK a lot more expensive for things such as food and power. Compared to France, it's slightly more expensive in Italy. Taxes and bureaucracy in Italy is very high, again higher than in the UK and slightly more than France.

[@rossinniandco]

Thanks for your input 👍

[@amikailua9504]

Florence has the best Conad, looks like a fancy Wholefoods.

[@rossinniandco]

Oh, didn't know but doesn't surprise me. Supermarkets in the North seem so oppulent and full of choice

[@danasandlin2435]

wine and olive oil are a lot cheaper than in US...dts/usa

[@danasandlin2435]

we do not pay more tax on imported goods and in some states, there is no tax on food/groceries...dts/usa

[@danasandlin2435]

this is because food is seen as the most basic of necessities (but some things are still very expensive)...tea, coffee, eggs and bread are cheap...then luxuries can get very expensive...dts/usa

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@rossinniandco]

👍

[@christaylor7049]

Much more expensive than Australia because you are paying Euro which is nearly double Oz dollar, especially cheese meat butter

[@rossinniandco]

Hi Chris. Thanks for watching. Cheese and meat can be a little cheaper at local butchers and Weekley farmers markets. The quality is exceptional. Unfortunately I didn't get to record more content to reflect this, but Vegetables and most fruit are way cheaper than in OZ, plus Italy doesn't allow GM foods. Let's pray it stay that way. I think what makes the biggest difference in the cost of living for expats, is housing prices. If someone can afford to buy a house outright in a small town and still have some kind of income it may be a good deal to make the move 😉

[@KingMinosxxvi]

guess i won't be cooking with butter ...good lord

[@rossinniandco]

Hi KM. There are other supermarkets and as everywhere, some have some items cheaper than others. For this video I wasn't really looking for the cheapest prices but recorded what I could since it's not easy to be going around filming stuff