In Italy, the condition of out-of-town students is becoming increasingly burdensome, marked by a reality that leaves no room for easy solutions: the soaring prices of rooms for rent. This phenomenon, constantly increasing, has become one of the most pressing challenges for young university students and their families, generating a sense of precariousness and uncertainty that accompanies the beginning of each academic year.
According to the latest annual observatory by Immobiliare.it, the room market is facing an unprecedented increase in costs, driven by a demand that in 2024 grew by 27% compared to the previous year. This dizzying increase is reflected in an average increase of 7% for single rooms, in a national context that sees almost all the main university cities register increases in rental prices.
Milan is confirmed as the most expensive city in Italy, both for buying and renting a property, and it is no exception when it comes to the room market. Renting a single room in the Milanese capital today requires an average expense of 637 euros per month, with an increase of 4% compared to 2023. Despite this, the demand for housing in Milan shows signs of saturation, with a slight decrease of 1%, an unusual figure in the national panorama.
Within the city, neighborhoods such as Garibaldi-Moscova-Porta Nuova, Porta Romana-Cadore-Montenero and Centrale-Repubblica mark the highest peaks, with rents exceeding 700 euros per month for a single room. However, the picture is not uniform; the demand for housing in Milan is progressively shifting towards neighboring cities, where costs are more sustainable.
Contrary to what is happening in Milan, Rome is experiencing a moment of strong expansion in demand, which registers an impressive +62% compared to last year. Despite the 9% increase in prices, with an average of 503 euros per month for a single room, the capital continues to attract a growing number of students, a sign of its centrality in the national university panorama.
The Roman neighborhoods of Parioli-Flaminio, Testaccio-Trastevere and Salario-Trieste lead the ranking of the most expensive rents, exceeding 600 euros per month, confirming the prestige and cultural vivacity of these areas.
Among the university cities with a long tradition, Bologna emerges as the second most expensive, with an average of 506 euros for a single room, followed by a 7% increase in demand. Venice, also on the rise, shows a 10% increase in prices and a 53% boom in demand, a symptom of a renewed interest in the lagoon city as a destination for studies.
Padua, on the other hand, shows a trend that goes against the trend: demand has fallen by 32%, while prices have increased by 14%, reaching 442 euros per month for a single room. This phenomenon reflects a growing difficulty for students to sustain high costs, pushing many to look for alternatives in other cities.
The report also highlights how some areas of Southern Italy have seen a surge in demand, with Bari and Naples leading the way, recording increases of 207% and 185% respectively. At the same time, cities in Lombardy such as Pavia and Brescia have also seen an exponential increase in interest, with growth exceeding 160%.
According to Antonio Intini, Chief Business Development Officer of Immobiliare.it, “the boom in searches that the southern locations and those adjacent to large centers like Milan are experiencing shows a clear shift in demand toward more economically accessible centers.” This dynamic is the reflection of a growing unsustainability of costs in the most expensive cities, pushing students to orient themselves toward less traditional but more economically manageable universities.
The scenario outlined by the Immobiliare.it observatory describes a complex and evolving reality, where the market for rooms for out-of-town students continues to grow, driven by a demand that seems to know no end. However, this scenario poses a significant challenge for the future, requiring structural interventions aimed at ensuring more equitable and sustainable access to university education. Without an adequate response, the risk is to further exacerbate inequalities, making it increasingly difficult for many young people to dream of a higher education.
