Ready to find your dream home in Italy? In this article, we’ll reveal the five most affordable areas in Italy to buy property and perhaps find your new home there.
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House prices in Italy
In December 2023, the average residential property price per square metre was €1,974, reflecting a 1.6% increase from a year prior, however, there remain areas well below the average that ensure you can still buy affordable homes in Italy.
Where to find affordable homes in Italy
In Italy, unlike the UK, house prices are measured per square metre, rather than by average price, so to deduce the most affordable areas, we’re looking at areas with the lowest price per square metre.
Beautiful view of the old town of Orvieto, Umbria, Italy
1. Umbria
Often referred to as ‘the green heart of Italy’, Umbria is home to lush landscapes, rolling hills, and verdant countryside. The property market in Umbria offers everything from remote farmhouses away from prying eyes to townhouses in historic towns like Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi.
In terms of pricing, houses in Umbria are typically more affordable than in traditional tourist areas like Tuscany. There’s a huge market for apartments and townhouses in historic towns such as Castiglione del Lago, Magione and Ficulle. You can find a two-to-three-bedroom townhouse for as little as €115,000. For a detached home on the village outskirts, you can expect to pay a minimum of €200,000.
Calabria surprisingly offers some of the cheapest homes in Italy.
2. Calabria
Found on the southern tip of Italy’s ‘boot-like’ shape, Calabria is a region renowned for its natural beauty and rich heritage. Surrounded by the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, coastal homes in Calabria are hugely popular.
The real estate market in Calabria offers a range of home styles. You can find a traditional stone house in a rural village for less than €200,000 and one-to-two-bedroom apartments for under €150,000 – perfect for those wanting a holiday home with sea views that don’t break the bank.
Cefalu, Sicily
3. Sicily
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and offers a relaxed lifestyle with the allure of traditional Italian living: gastronomy, attitudes, and culture. While there is a range of luxury homes in Italy’s Sicily that celebs favour, you can find an assortment of affordable homes here.
You can find a small two-bedroom home for as little as €100,000, one-bedroom apartments from €75,000 and detached homes/villas from €130,000.
Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta
4. Piedmont
If the properties on Your Overseas Home in Piedmont (or Piemonte) are anything to go by, you can really get your money’s worth in Piedmont! Whether it’s a home in the hills you’re after or an apartment in the town centre, there’s something for everyone in Piedmont.
The location is ever-so-alluring: nestled at the foot of the Alps, bordering France and Switzerland, the views are truly breathtaking.
If you’re looking for a two-to-three-bedroom home and want a detached property with land, you can find some great homes in Italy’s Piedmont for €200,000. Alternatively, stone farmhouses start at €100,000 and apartments for even less than that.
Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo, Italy.
5. Abruzzo
Beautiful Abruzzo lies on the east coast of Italy, where rural properties, farmhouses, sandy coves and hilltop villages are in abundance. If you like the idea of spending your time nestled among vineyards with panoramic views of the Italian countryside, you could find your dream home in Abruzzo.
Rustic charm could be the catchphrase for properties in Abruzzo. There are plenty of stone houses and farmhouses (known as casolore) available, many of which come with a decent-sized plot of land, a vineyard or olive groves! Some may require a bit of TLC, but it can be a rewarding project – especially if you’re looking to create your forever home in Italy.
Please note: Restoring historic homes in Italy can sometimes be tricky, read more here.
Sources: Immobilier.it, YourOverseasHome.com
