If you’ve ever wondered how much it really costs to live in Italy (not just rent, but everything), I made this video to share my real numbers from living alone in Bologna city center in 2025. I’m an American and I’ve been here about 3.5 years, and this breakdown is based on what I actually spent—rent + utilities, groceries, eating out, transportation, travel, shopping/subscriptions, healthcare, beauty, dental, and even the annoying bureaucracy costs. I also give context that matters: I work remotely with American clients, Italian salaries are very low, and rent in Bologna has gotten kind of out of control. I walk most places, cook a lot at home (but I like “interesting recipes,” so my grocery bill isn’t the absolute minimum), and I’ll still do weekend trips or flights when it makes sense—plus I talk about how wildly expensive it is to fly back to the U.S. I share what surprised me (like electricity being more expensive than the U.S.), what’s cheaper (food, some medical/dental out of pocket), and what quietly adds up (condo fees, transit, subscriptions, visa stuff). My average monthly total for 2025 came out to about €2,200, but I explain exactly why that number will look different for everyone.