What is the cost of living in Italy/UK?
The cost of living in Italy/London is similar to that in the U.S. In Italy/London, a coffee costs about $2.00 and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive than in the States, especially if you buy them at the open market. Telephones, on the other hand, are more expensive as is energy in general (gas, electricity, gasoline), so things tend to even out. If you cook in your own house, you can live relatively cheaply. Consulates expect you to have about $1,000 – $1,200 per month for your stay in Italy/London, and this is a good, though somewhat generous estimate of basic living cost. The value of the US dollar has dropped dramatically in the past year, which has raised the cost of living for US students studying abroad. Of our different locations, Milan or London are perhaps the most expensive cities and Syracuse (in Sicily) the least, in terms of general cost of living.
