Modena vs Milan on €40,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €40,000 a year, a single employee takes home €2,322 a month in Modena (70% of gross) and €2,330 a month in Milan (70%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Milan is 21% more expensive than Modena overall (cost-of-living index 54.3 vs 44.8, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,503 a month in Milan and €752 in Modena, which leaves €827 and €1,570 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €2,392 a month in Milan — €62 a month more than this salary pays.
By category, groceries cost 11% more in Milan than in Modena, eating out 2% more and rent 83% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €8,459 a year in Modena and €8,364 in Milan; social contributions and other levies take €3,676 and €3,676.
Moving from abroad? Under the impatriati regime, take-home pay in Milan would be €2,932 a month — see who qualifies.
| Modena | Milan | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €40,000 | €40,000 |
| Income tax per year | €8,459 | €8,364 |
| Social contributions per year | €3,676 | €3,676 |
| Take-home pay per month | €2,322 | €2,330 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €752 | €1,503 |
| Left after rent | €1,570 | €827 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 44.8 | 54.3 |
How each figure is taxed: Italy tax calculator and Italy tax calculator; prices: in Milan. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Modena vs Milan
Is Milan, Italy more expensive than Modena, Italy?
Milan, Italy is 21% more expensive than Modena, Italy overall. On a gross salary of €40,000 a year, you take home €2,322 a month in Modena, Italy and €2,330 a month in Milan, Italy after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Milan, Italy vs Modena, Italy?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Modena, Italy and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €62 a month more than this salary leaves in Milan, Italy, because of its 21% higher cost of living.
What taxes will I pay in Italy vs Italy?
On €40,000 gross a year you take home €2,322 a month in Italy and €2,330 a month in Italy. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.