Cost of living in Albania compared to Italy
Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 31% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 872 Lek (€9) | €17 | - 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 901 Lek (€9) | €11 | - 14% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 370 Lek (€3.77) | €5.35 | - 30% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 155 Lek (€1.58) | €1.54 | + 3% | |
12 eggs, large | 346 Lek (€3.53) | €4.21 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 205 Lek (€2.09) | €3.77 | - 45% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 482 Lek (€4.91) | €8 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (€1.83) | €2.37 | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 88 Lek (€0.90) | €1.65 | - 46% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 117 Lek (€1.19) | €1.57 | - 24% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,286 Lek (€13) | €8 | + 67% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 189 Lek (€1.93) | €2.54 | - 24% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 58 Lek (€0.59) | €1.53 | - 61% | |
Housing | - 53% | |||
Housing in Albania is 53% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,370 Lek (€554) | €1,447 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 47,310 Lek (€482) | €928 | - 48% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Lek (€71) | €145 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (€330) | €999 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (€257) | €752 | - 66% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (€69) | €130 | - 47% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,317 Lek (€13) | €25 | - 47% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (€297) | €295 | + 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (€207) | €140 | + 48% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 600 Lek (€6) | €5.66 | + 8% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (€10) | €11 | - 8% | |
Clothes | - 13% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 13% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (€40) | €84 | - 53% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (€36) | €41 | - 11% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (€153) | €102 | + 50% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (€132) | €96 | + 37% | |
Transportation | - 42% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 42% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (€5,604) | €25,973 | - 78% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 189 Lek (€1.92) | €1.77 | + 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,718 Lek (€18) | €39 | - 55% | |
Personal Care | - 41% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 41% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (€2.04) | €9 | - 79% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (€7) | €15 | - 54% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (€25) | €106 | - 76% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (€2.55) | €5.64 | - 55% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (€3.82) | €3.89 | - 2% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (€4.21) | €3.42 | + 23% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (€3.40) | €2.06 | + 65% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (€3.90) | €1.74 | + 124% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (€5.75) | €20 | - 71% | |
Entertainment | + 4% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 4% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
Albania | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,522 Lek (€46) | €41 | + 12% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,400 Lek (€14) | €18 | - 20% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | €91 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,089 Lek (€82) | €64 | + 29% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,427 Lek (€15) | €9 | + 67% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (€2.04) | €2.33 | - 12% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (€3.19) | €5.19 | - 39% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (€764) | €677 | + 13% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,114 Lek (€42) | €51 | - 18% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 358 Lek (€3.65) | €6 | - 40% | |
TOTAL | - 34% |

These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01019
EUR
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 34% cheaper than in Italy
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