Cost of living in Albania compared to Italy
Currency:
Food | - 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 32% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 932 Lek (€9) | €17 | - 47% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 608 Lek (€5.73) | €9 | - 39% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 471 Lek (€4.43) | €5.23 | - 15% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 186 Lek (€1.75) | €1.41 | + 24% | |
12 eggs, large | 298 Lek (€2.80) | €3.80 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 128 Lek (€1.20) | €2.48 | - 52% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 458 Lek (€4.31) | €7 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 151 Lek (€1.43) | €2.21 | - 36% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 104 Lek (€0.98) | €1.80 | - 45% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 98 Lek (€0.92) | €1.54 | - 40% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,256 Lek (€12) | €7 | + 63% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 184 Lek (€1.73) | €2.21 | - 21% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 91 Lek (€0.85) | €1.30 | - 34% | |
Housing | + 23% | |||
Housing in Albania is 23% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 87,956 Lek (€828) | €1,184 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 52,797 Lek (€497) | €817 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 22,203 Lek (€209) | €159 | + 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 58,016 Lek (€546) | €795 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 222,231 Lek (€2,093) | €666 | + 214% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,081 Lek (€189) | €105 | + 79% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,527 Lek (€43) | €22 | + 96% | |
40” flat screen tv | 40,000 Lek (€377) | €285 | + 32% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 Lek (€283) | €141 | + 100% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,216 Lek (€11) | €6 | + 84% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,059 Lek (€10) | €11 | - 10% | |
Clothes | - 9% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 9% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,779 Lek (€36) | €72 | - 51% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,266 Lek (€40) | €37 | + 10% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,939 Lek (€84) | €95 | - 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 13,207 Lek (€124) | €109 | + 14% | |
Transportation | - 44% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 44% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 994,106 Lek (€9,364) | €27,174 | - 66% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 208 Lek (€1.96) | €1.85 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,552 Lek (€15) | €37 | - 60% | |
Personal Care | - 17% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 17% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,200 Lek (€11) | €7 | + 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,000 Lek (€9) | €11 | - 17% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,108 Lek (€29) | €86 | - 66% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 949 Lek (€9) | €5.40 | + 65% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 366 Lek (€3.45) | €3.72 | - 7% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 534 Lek (€5.03) | €3.27 | + 54% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 262 Lek (€2.46) | €2.38 | + 4% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 312 Lek (€2.94) | €2.45 | + 20% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 729 Lek (€7) | €18 | - 63% | |
Entertainment | - 27% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 27% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,000 Lek (€28) | €39 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,769 Lek (€17) | €17 | - 1% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | €79 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,547 Lek (€43) | €78 | - 45% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,322 Lek (€12) | €9 | + 42% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 239 Lek (€2.25) | €1.95 | + 15% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 397 Lek (€3.74) | €4.88 | - 23% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (€706) | €686 | + 3% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 25 Lek (€0.24) | €0.36 | - 34% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,661 Lek (€34) | €62 | - 45% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 326 Lek (€3.07) | €5.54 | - 45% | |
TOTAL | - 19% |

These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00942
EUR
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 19% cheaper than in Italy
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