Cost of Living in Milan for Students

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Milan is a fun and friendly city with many theaters, festivals, cinemas, and art exhibitions to amuse students after classes. Milan is also a fashion city and a central financial hub and thus has plenty to offer like-minded students to come study in this city.

According to the Economist’s 2021 safety index, Milan ranks 7.13, making it a safe and secure place to study for international students.

Is Milan a student city?

According to QS Best Student Cities, Milan ranks 48th based on student mix and employer activity indicators. There are 5 ranked universities featured in QS World University Rankings@2023, out of which Politecnico di Milano ranks 139th globally.

Is Milan expensive?

The cost of living in Milan will be €1,100 – €1,800 /month excluding tuition fees. This cost will cover food, transport, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Please bear in mind the cost of living in Milan will differ depending on your lifestyle.

For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Milan, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	€3,500 – €16,000 / Year
Accommodation	€150 – €600 /Week
Local transport	€87 /Month

Is Milan expensive to study?

There are 3 public universities and 4 private universities in Milan. The public universities set their tuition fees based on the degree you choose to study. For a non-EU/EEA student, it can cost more. The tuition fees in private universities are higher than the public ones; The fee applies the same for EU and non-EU students.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
€3,500 – €10,000 / Year	€4,000 – €16,000 / Year

1. Student Housing

Student housing is one of the most popular types of student accommodation in Milan. It is common among 2nd and 3rd-year students as it comes with an inclusive package of amenities and utility bills. They are in prime areas and offer various rooms for all budgets and preferences.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are up to 20 miles.

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	€150 – €250 /week

2. Private Apartment

Private student apartments stand out among the students as they offer independent and more private living. The apartments can range from one, two, three – four bedrooms, and so on. They also come with a package of amenities and services that cater to meet the needs and requirements.

Apartment	Price
Private	€150 – €600 /week

3. University Halls

University halls are on-campus accommodations provided by most universities. They cater to students who want to live near the campus or the building. It comes with limited privacy, independence, and freedom.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	€200 – €400 /week

How much is the average meal in Milan?

Food expenses will depend on your lifestyle, spending, and eating habits. If you eat at restaurants in the central area, a meal will cost €40 /person. While prices will differ in the suburbs, a course meal will cost €20 /person. Pubs and bars may differ in prices depending on the location; on average, a glass of beer will cost €6. Cooking meals at home is advisable, as groceries will cost on average €350 in a month.

How much do utility bills cost in Milan?

Utility bills are cheaper in Milan than in most countries in Europe. On average, the utility bills in Milan will cost €250 /month. Student housing and apartments cover the utility bills under the rent.

How do you travel in Milan?

It’s easy to get around Milan as public transportation like the bus, subway, and tram system are convenient and cheap. The ticket prices are the same for all modes of transportation. A single journey ticket will cost €2.20. The Milan Pass and Milano Card are the two travel cards available that offer a considerable discount.