Torino
Torino earns a high score because it balances urban amenities with affordability, making it a top-tier choice for those who want a high quality of life without the premium price tag of Milan. While it faces minor challenges with air quality and bureaucracy, its strong public transit, walkability, and access to nature provide a well-rounded living experience.
Is Torino right for you?
MoveWiser can compare your budget, lifestyle, climate preferences, and priorities with Torino and other cities — and show you how well each one fits you personally.
See How Well Torino Fits MeQuality of Life in Torino
Torino's score is bolstered by its exceptional walkability and a robust public transportation network that makes commuting easy. The city's housing market remains relatively accessible compared to other major Italian cities, which significantly raises its score for affordability. Factors that prevent a higher score include the occasional air quality issues caused by the city's basin geography and the standard Italian bureaucratic hurdles that can complicate the relocation process for international residents.
Housing
Torino's residential market is characterized by steady growth, with average sale prices rising over 8% annually to reach between ’1,800 and ’2,200 per square meter by 2025 [Housing prices in the municipality of Turin - Immobiliare.it](https://www.immobiliare.it/en/mercato-immobiliare/piemonte/torino). The stock is overwhelmingly composed of apartments and condos, which represent over 97% of available properties, while new developments like The Social Hub are expanding the city's student housing capacity [Torino, Piemonte Airbnb Data 2026: Occupancy, Revenue & STR Market Report | AirROI](https://www.airroi.com/airbnb-data/italy/piemonte/torino) [Italian student housing market](https://pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/italy/06-2025-student-housing-spotlight.pdf).
Neighborhoods
The Centro Storico and Quadrilatero Romano offer high-end living amidst historic architecture, while San Salvario has transitioned from a deprived area into a popular nightlife and residential district [Torino, Piemonte Airbnb Data 2026: Occupancy, Revenue & STR Market Report | AirROI](https://www.airroi.com/airbnb-data/italy/piemonte/torino) [Adaptive urbanism in ordinary cities: Gentrification and temporalities in Turin (1993–2021) - ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264275122005832). Other key areas include Vanchiglia, which attracts a creative and student demographic, and Lingotto, a former industrial zone now serving as a major commercial and conference hub [Torino, Piemonte Airbnb Data 2026: Occupancy, Revenue & STR Market Report | AirROI](https://www.airroi.com/airbnb-data/italy/piemonte/torino).
Economy & Jobs
As the capital of Italian engineering, Torino remains a major center for the automotive industry, housing production facilities for Fiat and Lancia in its southern suburbs [Turin - Torino - Life in Italy](https://lifeinitaly.com/turin-torino/). The local economy is increasingly driven by aerospace, mechatronics, and ICT sectors, supported by significant investment from local banking foundations like Compagnia di San Paolo [TORINO - Brookings Institution](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1208_conference_guide_torino.pdf).
Commuting & Transportation
The Gruppo Torinese Trasporti (GTT) manages the city's transit, which includes a single 13.2-kilometer automated metro line, nine tram lines, and over 80 bus routes [Getting around Turin: Public transportation and its alternatives](https://housinganywhere.com/Turin--Italy/getting-around-turin). While the BIP travel card facilitates multi-modal commuting, residents often face long travel times if living outside the central core, and the city continues to struggle with Po Valley air quality issues that impacted 39 days in 2025 [Getting around Turin: Public transportation and its alternatives](https://housinganywhere.com/Turin--Italy/getting-around-turin) [Where to Live in Piedmont (Beyond Turin and the Barolo Hills)](https://italywithantonio.com/p/where-to-live-piedmont).
Lifestyle & Amenities
Torino offers a refined lifestyle centered on grand piazzas like Piazza San Carlo and the extensive shopping arcades of Via Roma and Via Po [Turin - Torino - Life in Italy](https://lifeinitaly.com/turin-torino/). Residents benefit from a rich culinary tradition and easy access to the nearby Alps, though the city's location in the Po Valley results in frequent winter smog and air quality challenges [Where to Live in Piedmont (Beyond Turin and the Barolo Hills)](https://italywithantonio.com/p/where-to-live-piedmont) [Torino - Vicip id](https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torino).
Climate
Torino features a humid subtropical climate with cold, foggy winters and warm, humid summers. Its proximity to the Alps provides a refreshing breeze and occasional snowfall during the winter months.
Cost of Living in Torino
Population
875,698
Median Home Price
€240,000
Median Rent
€750/mo
Average Salary
€32,000
Groceries / month
€400/mo
Moving to Torino
Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Torino offers a sophisticated, walkable urban environment with excellent healthcare and proximity to world-class mountain recreation. The city is a cultural hub known for its historic cafes, arts, and proximity to major research institutions.
Pros and Cons of Living in Torino
Pros
- • Significantly more affordable than Milan
- • Excellent public transit network
- • Proximity to Alpine skiing and hiking
- • Rich architectural and cultural heritage
- • Strong university and research presence
Cons
- • Air quality can be poor due to basin geography
- • Summers can be quite humid
- • Bureaucratic processes for expats
- • Some peripheral districts lack amenities
Who Torino Is Best For
Where Torino performs well
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Torino a good place to live?
Torino is an excellent choice for those seeking a high quality of life without the extreme costs of Milan or Rome. It offers a sophisticated urban environment with grand boulevards, historic cafes, and a thriving cultural scene that appeals to both families and young professionals.
Is Torino affordable?
Yes, Torino is considered one of the most affordable major cities in Northern Italy. You can find one-bedroom apartments for around €700–€800 per month, and daily expenses like groceries and dining out are notably lower than in the Lombardy region.
What is Torino best known for as a place to live?
Torino is best known for its elegant Baroque architecture, its status as the birthplace of the Italian automotive industry, and its proximity to the Alps. It is also highly regarded for its world-class research institutions like the Politecnico di Torino.
What are the biggest advantages of living in Torino?
The primary advantages include a highly walkable city center, an efficient public transportation system featuring trams and buses, and easy access to mountain recreation. Residents also benefit from a slower, more relaxed pace of life compared to other major Italian industrial hubs.
What are the potential disadvantages of living in Torino?
The city faces challenges with air quality due to its location in the Po Valley, which can trap pollutants during winter. Additionally, some peripheral neighborhoods can feel less connected or safe compared to the central districts like Crocetta or San Salvario.
What type of person or household is Torino a good fit for?
Torino is a perfect fit for families looking for a stable environment, students attending its prestigious universities, and remote workers who value culture and outdoor access. It suits those who want a big-city experience with a manageable cost of living.
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Data & sources
MoveWiser scores are AI-generated comparative estimates, not official statistics. The category scores above are produced by MoveWiser's data pipeline; cost figures and population are AI estimates informed by web data at the time of generation. Always verify specifics with primary sources before deciding.
Data sources (as reported during generation):
- ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics)
- Numbeo 2025 — cost of living, rent & groceries
- Expatica 2026
- Politecnico di Torino
- Geonames
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