Lucca · Go deeper
Cost & housing
Lucca is one of the pricier places in this guide, well above the Umbrian towns though still below Florence. Inside the walls is the premium; step outside and value improves fast. What follows is the range, and how to check live prices yourself.
Renting
These reflect a decent, functional apartment with a real kitchen and a lift. Cheaper exists if you compromise on condition or location; inside the historic walls carries a premium.
Immobiliare / local listings, 2026
Buying
If you’re looking to purchase:
Prices are rising gently, up about 2.4% across the city year on year. The walled historic centre commands a clear premium; the areas outside the walls are noticeably more affordable.
Immobiliare, 2026
Other monthly costs
Utilities are a national market in Italy, so that range holds roughly anywhere. Lucca’s mild inland-Tuscan climate keeps heating and cooling costs moderate.
Autolinee Toscane, 2026
Our take
Lucca is one of the most liveable small cities in Tuscany: beautiful, walkable, walled, and cultured, with an easy expat landing and an international airport half an hour away, at prices below Florence though above the plainer towns. Inside the walls you pay for the magic; just outside, the same city gets markedly cheaper. The catch is cost and competition, especially inside the walls, plus summer crowds and heat.
The whole decision comes down to one line on the map: inside the walls or outside them. Inside is the postcard: car-free, atmospheric, and dear. Outside, often just a few minutes’ walk away, prices drop sharply for the same access to the same beautiful city. Knowing you don’t have to live inside the walls to enjoy them is the key to affording Lucca.
Prices move with the market. Always check live listings. See current rentals on Idealista › | See prices on Immobiliare ›