Milan confirms itself as the most expensive city in Italy in 2026: the Codacons survey

Milan confirms itself as the most expensive city in Italy also in 2026. This was stated by Codacons, which like every year publishes the survey on the retail price lists in force in the main Italian cities.

The association's analysis, carried out on the basis of data from the Mimit Price Observatory updated to June, examines a basket made up of 33 items, of which 20 food products and 13 services (bars, hairdressers, pizzerias, vets, dentists, cinemas, etc.). The picture that emerges is that of an Italy split in two, with the cities of the South much more convenient than those of the North.

Spending on the basket examined by Codacons costs almost 693 euros in Milan, 652 euros in Bolzano, and just over 640 euros in Aosta and Bologna. Naples is the cheapest city: spending on the same goods and services stands at around 402 euros, 42% less than in Milan. This is followed by 464 euros in Palermo and 474 euros in Catanzaro.

To purchase fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and other foodstuffs included in the basket, the cost is just over 200 euros in 6 cities (Milan, Bolzano, Trieste, Bologna, Genoa and Florence), drops to around 170 euros in Bari and Palermo, and drops to 154 euros in Pescara, 149 euros in Catanzaro, 140 euros in Naples. For services, however, the differences become clearer: approximately 491 euros are needed in Milan and 452 euros in Aosta and Bolzano, compared to 292 euros in Palermo and 262 euros in Naples.