In the 2022 Italy Property Guides survey, 52% of readers expressed the desire to buy an Italian property for less than €200,000. Almost a third of buyers wanted to spend between €100,000 and €200,000. So,we wondered, how realistic a budget is that? What size and sort of property can you expect to buy for that? And where in Italy will you get more for your money?
Unique Italian Property
Pricing an Italian property is very difficult, as you don’t see many identical houses to compare with. Which is lovely, and part of Italy’s charm. Because who really wants to live in a box that is the same as all your neighbours? There are lots of unique Italian homes full of character and history. Location plays a big part too; you often find countryside houses for the same price as an apartment in a nearby town.
Could you get more house in another region?
Some regions have built a reputation as “the place to go”, due to centuries of tourism and their proximity to popular cities. However, with most Italian regions now served by international airports you have so many more options, all with countryside that’s just as beautiful and villages that are just as welcoming (maybe even more so!). You can discover rolling hills, vineyards and amazing views in Piedmont and Puglia at a fraction of the price of properties around Florence and Milan.
Condition of property
The condition of a property can also play a big part in the pricing. It’s not unusual to find a million euro home next door to one for sale at €200,000 that needs renovation. If you are looking at properties needing work, always take the renovation costs into consideration. It’s exciting to find a large stone farmhouse within your budget, but do you have the money to renovate it?
Compare prices with other regions
Some Italian property portals will show the average prices per metre square in each region and province. This can give a rough indication of how property prices compare between regions. From this data I have calculated the average size property your budget could buy in some of the popular provinces. When combined with a property search in your price range it’s possible to get a good idea what you can buy with your budget. Here I have looked at five of the most popular Italian regions for overseas buyers.
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Tuscany
| Region and popular provinces | Price per m2
May 2022 |
200,000 buys
on average |
150,000 buys
on average |
100,000 buys
on average |
| Tuscany | 2,232 €/m2 | 90m2 | 67m2 | 45m2 |
| Florence province | 2,732 €/m2 | 73m2 | 54m2 | 37m2 |
| Siena province | 1,860 €/m2 | 108m2 | 81m2 | 54m2 |
| Pisa province | 1,733 €/m2 | 115m2 | 87m2 | 58m2 |
| Lucca province | 2,894 €/m2 | 69m2 | 52m2 | 35m2 |
What €200,000 buys in Tuscany
There are ten provinces in Tuscany, generally it is areas in the far north and south that have the cheapest property. In the province of Florence, on average €200,000 will buy you 73m2. For example, in Florence city centre you could buy a 2-bedroom apartment. Whereas in the outlying villages of Lucca €200,000 could buy you a 3-bedroom town house. Most visitors to Tuscany fly in to Pisa airport and then go on to Florence, Lucca and Siena. if you drive into the countryside south of Pisa you might pick up a farmhouse to renovate for €200,000.
What €150,000 buys in Tuscany
In Florence €150,000 could buy you a 1-bedroom apartment, as city prices for this popular location average €3,909€/m2. In the Lucca countryside it is still possible to buy a 2- bedroom house to renovate with a floor size over 120m2. Although the average size property in the Lucca province at this price offers only 52m2.
Affordable homes in Tuscany
In the province of Pisa, where the average price per metre square is less than half that of Florence (1,733€/m2) you can buy an apartment ready to move in. In the countryside between Pisa and Siena €150,000 could buy a village apartment with 2 bedrooms, that is perfect for a holiday getaway. South of Siena is the beautiful hill top village of Montepulciano, in this area for around €150,000 the choices include large farmhouses to renovate, new apartments and terrace houses.
What €100,000 buys in Tuscany
According to the survey €100,000 will only get you 45m2 in Tuscany, however you can find 2 bedroom village houses. Among the Pretty villages worth looking at are Barga, Bagni di Lucca and Pescaglia. In the province of Pisa there are also village apartments for sale for around €100,000. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive and some renovation work, it is still possible to find village houses and countryside properties for as little as €50,000.
To see more properties for sale under €200,000 see the Tuscany Property search page.
Umbria
| Region and popular provinces | Price per m2
May 2022 |
200,000 buys
on average |
150,000 buys
on average |
100,000 buys
on average |
| Umbria | 1,019 €/m2 | 196m2 | 147m2 | 98m2 |
| Perugia province | 1,031 €/m2 | 194m2 | 145m2 | 97m2 |
| Terni province | 986 €/m2 | 202m2 | 152m2 | 101m2 |
Trevi, a village in Perugia, Umbria
What €200,000 buys in Umbria
If you love Tuscany you will also love Umbria. By popping across the Tuscan border into Umbria, you could also get more house for your money. Perugia with its airport and train station is in the north of the region. For less than €200,000 you could buy a large farm house to renovate, or a 2 bedroom country house ready to move in. In Terne province around Parrano, Orvieto, and Monteleone d’Orvieto there are some charming stone farmhouses for around €200,000.
What €150,000 buys in Umbria
In the province of Terni €150,000 could buy you a 2 bedroom country house or a village house. Even near the famous Trasimeno Lake, in Perugia there are apartments and houses in this price range.
What €100,000 buys in Umbria
It is still possible to find small village apartments between €50,000 and €100,000. However, if you go to the south of the region or to lesser-known villages you could even find a 2 bedroom house in this price range.
To see properties for sale under €200,000 visit the Umbria Property search page.
Puglia
| Region and popular provinces | Price per m2 | 200,000 buys
on average |
150,000 buys
on average |
100,000 buys
on average |
| Puglia | 1,130 €/m2 | 177m2 | 133m2 | 88m2 |
| Bari province | 1,439 €/m2 | 139m2 | 104m2 | 69m2 |
| Brindisi province | 1,139 €/m2 | 176m2 | 132m2 | 88m2 |
| Lecce province | 952 €/m2 | 952m2 | 952m2 | 105m2 |
What €200,000 buys in Puglia
In sunny Puglia €200,000 should buy you a 2-3 bedroom bungalow style villa with a big garden. Those quirky cone shaped trulli will also be within your budget. If you are looking for a holiday home in Puglia, the provinces of Bari and Brindisi both have international airports, with properties for sale along the coast and inland. However, the Lecce province is also not far from Brindisi airport. It may even be possible to find a 3-bedroom apartment in a popular seaside town, such as Gallipoli or Castro.
Ostuni, in Puglia
What €150,000 buys in Puglia
€150,000 will buy you a detached 2-bedroom villa, ready to move in. 2-bedroom trulli and lamia houses are also still available at this price. Although historic town houses with star vaulted ceilings are generally expensive, there are some that need renovating that can come up for under €150,000.
What €100,000 buys in Puglia
You can still buy 1-2-bedroom villas and trulli for under €100,000. However, they may need some modernisation or renovation. You should also check the building is registered as a house, as some trulli were initially used as a farm shed.
To see properties for sale under €200,000 visit the Puglia Property Search page.
Piedmont
| Region and popular provinces | Price per m2 | 200,000 buys
on average |
150,000 buys
on average |
100,000 buys
on average |
| Piedmont | 1,189 €/m2 | 168m2 | 126m2 | 84m2 |
| Turin province | 1,381 €/m2 | 145m2 | 109m2 | 72m2 |
| Asti province | 841 €/m2 | 238m2 | 178m2 | 119m2 |
| Alessandria prov. | 771 €/m2 | 259m2 | 195m2 | 130m2 |
| Verbano-Cusio-Ossola prov. | 1,729 €/m2 | 116m2 | 87m2 | 58m2 |
What €200,000 buys in Piedmont
€200,000 could buy you a modern 1–2-bedroom apartment or village house close to Lake Maggiore. Head into the hills around Asti and you’ll find 3-bedroom detached properties with views. If you love views of rolling hills and vineyards you could become the proud owner of a farm house near Nizza Monferrato and enjoy life in Piedmont full-time. The vineyard landscapes of the Langhe Roero and Monferrato are in fact recognised by Unesco and can certainly give the hills of the central regions a run for their money. You can also find very large farmhouses needing renovation. In Alessandria province there are many stone country houses with tons of character with wood beams and great views. Bear in mind, that in Piedmont you could get a house double the size of that in Tuscany for the same price.
What €150,000 buys in Piedmont
€150,000 could buy you a farm house with the traditional Piedmont barn attached. Take a look at the hills around the beautiful spa town of Acqui Terme. In the province of Alessandria, it’s even possible to find 3 bedroom country houses for less than €150,000.
What €100,000 buys in Piedmont
A 2-bedroom apartment in Aqui Terme can cost less than €100,000. It’s even possible to find 2-bedroom houses in the hills that need some updating. If you head into the mountains you may even come across remote hamlets built entirely of stone, with village houses at incredibly low prices. The bargain properties are in the more remote locations and are in need of renovation.
To see properties for sale under €200,000 visit the Piedmont Property Search page.
Lombardy
| Region and popular provinces | Price per m2 | 200,000 buys
on average |
150,000 buys
on average |
100,000 buys
on average |
| Lombardy | 1,739 €/m2 | 115m2 | 86m2 | 57m2 |
| Milan province | 2, 540 €/m2 | 79m2 | 59m2 | 39m2 |
| Como province | 1,793 €/m2 | 112m2 | 84m2 | 56m2 |
| Bergamo province | 1,221 €/m2 | 164m2 | 123m2 | 82m2 |
| Brescia province | 1,885 €/m2 | 106m2 | 80m2 | 53m2 |
| Monza – Brianza | 1,586 €/m2 | 126m2 | 95m2 | 63m2 |
In a survey done by the British embassy in Rome, the highest percentage of British expats live in Lombardy (20%). When you have a region that combines the city of Milan, four Italian Lakes and the alps as a backdrop you have the recipe for a good lifestyle. Added to that great transport links, including three airports, you also have a great destination for business or a holiday home.
What €200,000 buys in Lombardy
The good news is you can get property near Lake Como for under €200,000. Close to the lakes you will be looking at mainly 1-bedroom apartments. However, a little way up in the hills and you can get amazing panoramic lake views and a bigger property. Without a lake view you can find 2–3-bedroom apartments for around €160,000. On the outskirts of Milan €200,000 will only buy a modern 1–2-bedroom apartment. Head into the mountains for a spot of skiing and you could find yourself an apartment near the slopes or a house needing renovation. The chalet style properties look straight off a biscuit tin and have holiday rental potential for much of the year. You can ski in the winter and hike in the summer.
What €150,000 buys in Lombardy
Below €150,000 you could get a 1-2-bedroom apartment a short distance from a lake, possibly with a lake or mountain view. In the villages there are some charming stone houses below €150,000. There is some amazing scenery between the lake areas and cheap properties with mountain views.
What €100,000 buys in Lombardy
In general, the further you get from the lakes the cheaper the property becomes. There are some apartments and village house for less than €100,000. Try looking in the hills west of Lake Garda, west of Lake Iseo, and the north end of Lake Como. If you are looking for a commute into Milan head west to the area near the town of Magenta.
To see properties for sale under €200,000 visit the Lombardy Property Search page.
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