Istat today released the territorial inflation data for April, on the basis of which the National Consumers Union has drawn up the ranking of the most expensive cities in Italy, in terms of increase in the cost of living. Bolzano leads the ranking, with a payout of over 1,100 euros per year, while the South has the highest inflation levels in the country.
Which cities are the most expensive
In first place is Bolzano, where inflation of 3.4% translates into an additional annual expense of 1,128 euros per family. Silver medal for Rimini, which with an increase of 3.6% (third highest in the country) recorded an increase of 991 euros. On the lowest step of the podium is Udine (+3.4%, +955 euros).
Below, the top 10 most expensive Italian cities:
| City | Annual price increase per family (in euros) | Annual inflation in April |
|---|---|---|
| Bolzano | 1128 | 3,4 |
| Rimini | 991 | 3.6 |
| Udine | 955 | 3,4 |
| Rome | 953 | 3,4 |
| Verona | 937 | 3,4 |
| Pistoia | 920 | 3,4 |
| Lucca | 893 | 3.3 |
| Pordenone | 871 | 3.1 |
| Belluno | 860 | 3.3 |
| Vicenza | 855 | 3.1 |
The most virtuous cities
At the opposite end of the ranking is Brindisi, which takes the top spot as the least expensive city, with an inflation of +2.2% and a burden of only 434 euros per year per family. Cuneo takes second place (+1.9%, +478 euros), followed by Potenza (+2.2%, +485 euros). Most of the cities in the top positions are in the South.
Below, the top 10 least expensive Italian cities:
| City | Annual price increase per family (in euros) | Annual inflation in April |
|---|---|---|
| Toasts | 434 | 2,2 |
| Wedge | 478 | 1.9 |
| Power | 485 | 2,2 |
| Trapani | 486 | 2.1 |
| Campobasso | 496 | 2.1 |
| Bari | 506 | 2.5 |
| Ancona | 520 | 2,2 |
| Milan | 522 | 1.7 |
| Novara | 528 | 2.1 |
| Benevento | 530 | 2.4 |
Inflation in April
In April 2026, annual inflation reached 2.7%, a level not seen since September 2023, while on a monthly basis prices rose by 1.1%, the highest figure since October 2022.
Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union, states:
A shock rise. The Iran Effect is producing devastating effects like those already seen during the previous conflict in 2022. The blockade of Hormuz is causing a real blow and the longer it continues, the worse it will be.
The rise was mainly driven by the energy and food sectors, both driven by what analysts call the “Iran Effect”. Unregulated energy went from -2.0% to +9.6% on an annual basis, regulated energy went from -1.6% to +5.3%, while unprocessed food accelerated from +4.7% to +5.9%.
According to an analysis by Codacons, inflation at 2.7% is equivalent to an average blow of 893 euros per year for the typical family, which rises to 1,233 euros for a family with two children. Adding together all Italian families, the overall bill reaches 23 billion euros on an annual basis. Among the items most affected, the increase in prices of fresh vegetables (+21.5% per year), gas (+11.8%), electricity on the free market (+8.2%) and liquid fuels stands out, which increased by as much as 38.1%.
