Idealista Study: Mortgages in Italy Often Cost Less Than Rent Monthly
Buying a home across most of Italy now results in a monthly mortgage payment that sits lower than the standard rental fee, according to an analysis published by idealista for the third quarter of 2026.
The core barrier to homeownership remains the upfront cash required rather than the monthly mortgage installment itself. Entering a secondhand two-room apartment demands an average initial outlay of 38,200 euros for buyers, compared to 3,400 euros for renters, idealista reported.
Once inside the property, however, the financial dynamics shift significantly. The monthly mortgage payment averages 499 euros, whereas the average rental canon reaches 847 euros.
The idealista study establishes its estimates by taking requested property prices and adjusting them down via negotiation margins to reflect actual sales values. For a standard two-room apartment, the estimated transaction price sits at 139,000 euros. Calculations assume an 80 percent loan-to-value mortgage over thirty years, anchored by an average interest rate of 3.49 percent.
Upfront purchasing expenses incorporate a 20 percent down payment alongside 7.5 percent in supplementary costs covering taxes, notarial fees, agency commissions, and mortgage administration. Conversely, rental entry requirements account for four monthly payments consisting of a three-month security deposit alongside a single month of agency commission.
Property sizes scale these initial cost disparities across the broader housing market. Securing a one-room apartment requires 28,900 euros in purchase capital against 2,600 euros for rental entry, yielding a monthly mortgage installment of 377 euros versus a 662 euro rent.
Three-room units demand 48,800 euros upfront for buyers and 4,000 euros for tenants, producing monthly commitments of 636 euros and 1,012 euros respectively. Larger four-room residences require 58,800 euros in initial capital and 4,800 euros in rental deposits, resulting in a 767 euro mortgage payment compared to a 1,203 euro monthly rent.
Economic advantages for buyers have narrowed notably over the past five years. In September 2021, when average rates on new mortgages stood at 1.4 percent, the monthly mortgage payment for a two-room apartment totaled 316 euros, representing roughly half of the period’s 619 euro rental fee. Mortgage rates have since climbed by 58 percent while rental costs grew by 37 percent, bringing the monthly mortgage expense to nearly 60 percent of the average rent.
Major metropolitan areas display distinct cost variations. In Milan, acquiring a two-room apartment requires 81,200 euros in capital alongside 4,700 euros for a rental contract, bringing the 1,059 euro monthly mortgage close to the 1,178 euro rental fee. Rome records an initial layout of 64,700 euros for buyers versus 4,500 euros for renters, with monthly obligations of 844 euros and 1,118 euros. Florence registers 65,900 euros for purchase and 4,400 euros for lease, featuring an 860 euro mortgage and a 1,105 euro rent.
Bologna demands 55,800 euros to buy and 3,300 euros to rent, with corresponding monthly payments of 728 euros and 829 euros. Naples requires 40,200 euros and 3,200 euros, resulting in monthly figures of 524 euros and 797 euros. Torino stands out as the most accessible major urban market, requiring 29,600 euros for purchase and 2,700 euros for rental, with a 387 euro mortgage and a 683 euro rent.
Across the 110 provincial capitals monitored in the study, monthly mortgage installments for two-room units fall below rental costs in 105 instances. Five exceptions defy the national trend where rental expenses remain lower than mortgage obligations. Those markets comprise Bolzano, where the monthly mortgage hits 1,132 euros against an 853 euro rent; Venice, recording 1,007 euros versus 998 euros; Trento, with 730 euros compared to 700 euros; Rimini, registering 678 euros against 640 euros; and Verbania, showing 580 euros versus 565 euros.
A livello nazionale la rata del mutuo è in media più bassa del canone, ma l’acquisto richiede un esborso iniziale importante e immobilizza buona parte dei risparmi, osserva Vincenzo de Tommaso, responsabile dell’Ufficio Studi di idealista.
Subjective considerations heavily influence individual purchasing decisions beyond pure mathematics. Family economic stability, career continuity, potential parental financial support, and long-term personal objectives dictate whether buying makes practical sense. For individuals anticipating short-term residency in a single location, transaction overhead and property acquisition fees can quickly outweigh the monthly structural savings.