Thinking about moving to Italy—or just wondering how the cost of living in Tuscany really compares with California? In this video, we break down some of the biggest everyday cost differences between living in California and Tuscany, Italy.
From property prices and groceries to restaurants and everyday expenses, the differences can be surprising. And one area really stands out: eating out in Italy can cost dramatically less than a comparable meal in California.
We compare real-world costs and look at:
* 🏡 Property and housing costs in Tuscany vs. California
* 🛒 Grocery and food prices
* 🍝 The cost of eating out at Italian restaurants
* ⛽ Everyday living expenses
* 🇮🇹 What these differences mean if you’re considering moving to Italy
Tuscany certainly isn’t free—and costs vary enormously depending on where and how you live—but compared with many parts of California, your money can go considerably further.
If you’ve ever dreamed about living in Tuscany, retiring in Italy, buying property in Italy, or simply enjoying the Italian lifestyle, this comparison may give you a very different perspective on what it actually costs.
Let us know in the comments: Which price difference surprised you the most?
👍 Thanks for watching! Please LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE!
✏️ Join our Skool community at SuperSavvyItaly.com, where you can also find these valuable resources:
🎓 Our comprehensive course “Unlocking La Dolce Vita: Mastering The Art Of Buying Property In Italy” covers everything you need to know about moving to Italy and buying a property there
📖 E-book “How to Buy an Italian Dream Home Without Buying a Property Nightmare” eBook
🫒 Foodie’s Guide to Italian Olive Oil
👥 Join our Facebook community “All About Italy”: 👤 / 205311277354653
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: I am not a real estate agent, architect, or attorney. Please consult with appropriate professionals for your specific circumstances.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more Italian property tours, expat life insights, and real estate opportunities in Italy!
© 2026 Super Savvy Travelers, LLC. All rights reserved. This video may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, or republished in whole or in part without prior written permission, except as permitted by applicable copyright law.
Licensing: If you’d like to use clips from this video in your own project, podcast, documentary, news report, or YouTube channel, please contact us first to obtain written permission. We are often happy to discuss licensing arrangements.
#LivingInItaly #Tuscany #CostOfLiving #MovingToItaly #LivingInTuscany #ItalyVsUSA #California #ItalianLifestyle #BuyingPropertyInItaly #torritadisiena
21 Comments
Very informative video!
Hello, thanks for all of the information. With so many different places to live in Italy, why did you choose the place you live in?
yes but if war with NATO/Russia develops it will suddenly feel expensive
First and foremost Italy hasn't conducted the billions of dollars of fraud that California has including but not limited to, unemployment insurance fraud, covid-19 relief fraud, funds for illegals and that bullet train to nowhere. We're talking over $200B right there. That's almost 10x of Italy's GDP.
And then there's the wage difference which every CCer neglects to mention.
I'm curious to learn what actual day-to-day life in Italy is like after the honeymoon phase. What percentage of those making the jump end up going back home?
My PG&E bill in Bakersfield for last month was $710. That’s a 1500 square-foot home on the farm.
Hello, I'm having alot of trouble completeing my codice fiscale application with theitalianbureau you featured and cannot get through to them by phone or email. The page of payment doesn't have a working button. Thanks I hope you can help. ( I suppose everywhere is more affordable than CA except NYC.)🤔
I'm looking at living in a walkable town.How much does it cost to rent a car occasionally? Thank you.Love your content.😇
People are moving to Indiana from California and their expenses are a lot less. I’m assuming the frustrating bureaucracy is less in US than Italy too. I’ve been listening to the cost in Italy going up. There really isn’t much difference from cost between Italy and Indiana.
Can you compare the cost of California to a like place like Milan, Florence, Venice or Rome. Granted, food quality is better but you have more variety in States.
800 month for food for 2 in Italy? That’s more than we spend in Indiana. I was considering living in Italy 6 months a yr. May have to rethink. How much should a person add to their expenses each yr? With Trumps war how is it affecting food, utilities, etc. should you figure 5-10% each yr?
Interesting discussion today. Very informative.
Hello, I came across your 2 videos about handbags from Mr. Moretii Walter. Is he still selling the handbags? I will be in Florence next month and I wanted to buy handbags, men’s wallets and belts.
Please let me know. Thanks.
Everywhere cost less that living in communist Marxist California
Italy does not want California liberals moving there…trust me
Thank you for the cost breakdown. Particularly enjoyed the section on insurance and your comments on earthquake coverage. We were able to find homeowners insurance through ITAS Mutua in Bolzano at a rates that were in your range. They did offer the earthquake insurance as well but it more than doubled the premium. In keeping with your comments, we figured that if the foundations of the Chapel located 100 m had survived since 600 D.C., then we were probably safe for the next 20-30 years. Thanks again far you invaluable content. We were a little surprised to hear that you had left Calabria and migrated to Tuscany, but the move is certainly understandable. Keep those videos coming!
Yikes, $600-800 a month for insurance is CRAZY!!!
What you are doing seems great at first, but you all have to peace with reality that Itallians left such places because there is no job, not even remote jobs because internet connection usually sucks, if there is any at all… You pretty much have to do huge investments if you want an usable connection for a remote job, relying on an antenna, instead of the cables, because old villages have at best the centuries old copper cables, and sometimes there aren't even them, and since you can't just dig on the public property, the only option left is using an antenna to get your internet connection, stucking with one of the few ISP that still provide that service. These places works fine for retired people, with no health issues, and from wealthier countries that allow them to spend more than what a retired Italian can, but they can't work for Italians of any age, because no one have the money for it. Most of Italians can expect to earn 700 euro or less a month, which make impossible to afford a 500 euro rent, considering that there are other expenses and Internet is required for bureocracy, so it's already -50 euro a month in the best case scenario for internet alone, to this you have to add the cost of the energy, which normally isn't included on the rent and can be bimestral or more delayed, you have to pay other taxes as well, included the one on the garbage. You have almost nothing left for food and travelling. When you retire in Italy, usually you get much less money than what was your salary, so for a retired person is simply impossible to afford a home in such places. By coming in Italy, you are ruining the house market even more for Italians, because with current salaries Italians can't compete against foreigns, but the one who already own an house will keep increasing their prices and expect even more because there is the request for these houses from aliens.
lady you a professional and what you're doing here for us we intend to go to Italy but when it comes to cars you have no clue where you got garbage and the worst possible brand in Italy is Fiat and panda is the worst product they make in all aspects so since you don't have a money issue get yourself a treat yourself right get an alpha spider you know you only live once learn how to drive a 6-speed or 5-speed whatever they are bye beautiful condition used one from the 2000s or 1900s area and enjoy Italy that's how you enjoy Italy not on a stupid panda BMW Z4 very reliable 3 l Bulletproo f live a little…. little lot…treat your car like you treat your stomach
designer plate you showed that's not Italian foodappetize that was
on top of it I got this Panda and you forgot to mention that in the US diesel is more expensive than regular gas which is stupid and gouging of course Americans are famous for gouging people of their own country
I'm so excited I forgot to say it's a ridiculous diesel panda
Diet Coke what a mini you are ladywow typical American no taste gourmet meal with a stupid Diet Coke instead of a nice glass of wine wow
I would suggest learn how to eat properly watch some Jamie Oliver then I'll tell you what to eat in Italy