Cost Of Living In Sicily Italy: Our Carini Monthly Budget Breakdown

Sicily, Italy, with its captivating history, scenic beauty, and relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expats, retirees, and those seeking a slower pace of life. One of the most pressing questions for those considering a move to Sicily is the cost of living. 

Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant energy of Palermo with its Baroque churches and lively markets or the serene charm of the coastal towns, understanding the actual cost of living in Sicily is key.

In this blog, we’re pulling back the curtain on our actual monthly expenses in Italy as a couple living in Carini, Sicily, a picturesque town just outside of Palermo. We’ll break down our essential monthly expenses—housing, groceries, utilities, dining out, and more—so you can see how affordable (or not) life in Sicily can be.

So, is living in Sicily truly affordable in 2025? Join us as we dive into the actual cost of embracing the Sicilian lifestyle, where the joy of discovery meets the comfort of timeless tradition.

What we cover in this blog:

• Entertainment & Eating Out
• Grocery Costs
• Medical & Dental
• Fuel Costs
• Parking Expenses
• Car Insurance
• Cellular Service
• Electricity
• Gas
• Garbage & Recycling
• Housing & What We Get
• Moving Expenses
• Summary of Monthly Budget

Let’s dive in and get started on this journey through the cost of living in Carini.

Entertainment & Eating Out: A Taste of Sicily’s Rich Culinary Tradition

One of the biggest perks of living in Sicily is the vibrant food culture. From fresh seafood to mouthwatering pastries, dining out is a treat, and it’s something we genuinely look forward to each month. Whether it’s a quick bite at a family-run trattoria or an elegant evening at a seafood festival, dining out in Sicily offers something for everyone.

For the month, our entertainment and dining expenses amounted to €80. Some months, we might spend a little more, while other months—especially when the weather is less inviting—our dining out costs are lower. This particular month, we spent more time indoors due to rainy weather, but we did splurge on a memorable seafood dinner that was well worth the cost.

Our favorite local spot offers fresh, locally sourced seafood, and for just €80, we’ve enjoyed a variety of delicious meals. Eating out in Sicily isn’t just about the food; it’s about the experience, the atmosphere, and the company. Every centesimo, (a penny), is spent wisely, ensuring a memorable and fulfilling culinary adventure.

Grocery Costs: Affordable Fresh Produce and Authentic Sicilian Ingredients

When it comes to groceries, we shop across multiple types of stores: wholesale markets, local supermarkets, and small, family-owned food stands. Our average monthly expenditure on groceries is around €400, which includes a mix of staple foods, fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, and Italian favorites like pasta, cheese, and high-quality, zeo-kilometer olive oil.

Living in Sicily means access to incredibly fresh ingredients—especially seafood, which is abundant along the island’s coastline. We enjoy cooking at home, and our grocery budget allows us to purchase quality ingredients like fresh fish, which we incorporate into our meals at least a few times a week. Given the rich culinary tradition here, shopping locally is a great way to experience authentic Sicilian flavors while sticking to a reasonable budget.

Medical & Dental: Quality Healthcare at a Fraction of the Cost

One of the benefits of living in Italy is access to the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), Italy’s national health service. As residents with our sanitaria card (health card), we can take advantage of affordable health services in Italy, including medical and dental care.

We typically spend around €8 per month on medications and prescriptions. When it comes to medical appointments, the costs remain low compared to other countries. For example, Croce recently had an eye exam and purchased new glasses for €137, which included the exam, frames, and progressive lenses. This was an excellent deal, especially considering the quality of the service.

In terms of dental care, I had a problem with a dental cap that came off unexpectedly. I walked into a nearby dental office with no prior appointment and received excellent attention. The dentist repaired the cap and performed the necessary procedures for just €30—a fraction of what it would cost in many other countries.

This combination of affordable healthcare and excellent service is one reason why expats often feel at ease living in Italy.

Fuel Costs: Navigating Sicily with Ease

Sicily’s public transportation system is decent, but many expats prefer the freedom of owning a car to explore the island at their own pace. We drive a Toyota Yaris, a compact and fuel-efficient vehicle, and our monthly fuel costs average around €70. Even though fuel prices in Italy are relatively high compared to other countries, the efficiency of our car ensures that we don’t overspend on gas.

We’ve also found that driving in Sicily is far more affordable than we initially expected, especially given the size of the island and the distances we sometimes travel. We pay about half of what we paid in the U.S.

Parking Expenses: Be Mindful of Local Rules

Parking can be tricky in the more densely populated areas of Sicily, but in Carini, parking is relatively straightforward. We’ve budgeted about €7 to €8 per month for parking fees. However, it’s essential to be aware of local parking regulations. For instance, Croce learned this lesson the hard way by receiving a €68 parking fine for not adhering to the new parking ticket system that has been implemented in the town.

While parking fines can be a nuisance, it’s something to keep in mind when living in Italy.

Car Insurance: Protecting Your Vehicle

When registering our car in Italy, we opted for AXA car insurance, which a local friend recommended. The monthly premium is €78. While some people may find this rate high, it’s worth noting that our car was registered for the first time in Italy, which increases the premium. After the initial registration, we expect the rate to go down, but for now, this cost is essential for ensuring the security of our vehicle.

Cellular Service: Affordable Mobile Plans

When it comes to cellular service, we opted for Iliad, a reliable mobile provider known for its affordable plans. Our monthly cost for two Italian phone lines comes to €20—€10 per line. We also retain our U.S. numbers through Mint Mobile at $15 per month per line, which allows us to handle any U.S.-based tasks like two-step authentication.

For expats moving to Italy, having a local phone plan is crucial for staying connected, and Italy offers plenty of affordable options.

Electricity: Managing Your Utility Bills

Living in an all-electric home has its perks, but it also means we have to pay close attention to our energy usage. Our first month of electricity usage came to €243, which was higher than we anticipated due to our adjustment period (as we weren’t yet used to the local climate and had to rely more on electric heaters). While this is our highest utility bill, we expect it to decrease in the coming months as we adjust to the climate and optimize our energy usage.

Given that everything in our home runs on electricity (including our oven, microwave, space heaters, and water heater), this expense is inevitable but manageable.

Gas: Affordable Cooking Energy

Our cottage uses gas for cooking, and we typically buy 15-kilogram gas tanks for our stove. We paid €25 for a tank that has lasted us for about two months so far…and still counting. We’ve budgeted about €10 per month for gas, which has proven to be a conservative estimate.

Garbage & Recycling: Keeping the Island Clean

The cost of garbage and recycling collection in Sicily is relatively affordable, though it can vary depending on the town or municipality. We expect to pay around €25 per month for waste management services, though we’re still waiting for our first official bill. Regardless, this cost is minimal compared to other parts of Europe.

Housing & What We Get: Affordable and Comfortable Living

Housing is the most significant expense for most expats, and Sicily offers a range of affordable options. We currently rent a two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage in Carini, which spans about 720 square feet. With an additional 164 square feet of outdoor kitchen space, the total living area comes to approximately 884 square feet.

Our monthly rent is €450, which includes water, sewer, and internet costs. This is an excellent deal for the space and location, and it’s more affordable than many other places in Europe. The cottage is in a quiet, private area with a fenced garden, automatic gates, and good security features.

Moving Expenses

When we first moved to Carini, there were some significant initial expenses, including purchases for household items, electronics, and car-related costs. The total moving expenses for the first month came to around €1,650, which included things like a new coffee machine (€109), office equipment (€471), car registration (€480), and other miscellaneous items.

These one-time expenses are to be expected when moving to a new country, but they do add up in the first few months. However, once settled in, the ongoing monthly costs are relatively affordable.

Summary of Monthly Budget

After factoring in all of our monthly expenses, we’ve found that living in Carini is affordable. Our total monthly payments are under €1,400, excluding occasional purchases or fluctuations in exchange rates. This budget covers everything from housing and groceries to healthcare and entertainment, making it quite manageable for a couple.

Carini, Sicily, is an affordable place to live, especially compared to many other European countries. With a monthly budget of just over €1,400, we’re able to enjoy a comfortable and relaxed lifestyle—eating out, enjoying local entertainment, and living in a beautiful home with all the modern conveniences.

Sicily offers affordable housing, quality healthcare, and low transportation costs, making it an ideal location for expats, retirees, and anyone looking for a slower pace of life without sacrificing comfort. If you’re planning to move to Sicily, our detailed breakdown should give you a good idea of what to expect financially.