Rome - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is seasonal. You're forced to eat the Mediterranean diet here. There is an international outdoor market near Termini and a small 'China town' area that also focuses on Indian foods. Places like Essalunga and DOC seem to carry some specialty items, but if you are looking, let's say - broccoli - if it's not in season, no single grocery store will carry it. Forget russet potatoes, and Mexican anything food. Most people go to the base in Naples for these items. Our fridge is small and food goes bad fast - so we grocery shop 3-4 times a week, even for a small shop. Casa and Co and a few other similar stores carry cleaning supplies, so no issues there. I actually prefer the Italian toilet paper over American style. - Aug 2024
It's fine, but Rome is a major city. Your grocery shopping will be comparable to that of small stores in NYC, not going shopping at a Walmart superstore. - Sep 2022
Fresh produce is very affordable (especially in city markets) and of high quality. Organic products are popular. Frozen foods are scarce (rightly so). Finished goods (toiletries, furniture, electronics) are very expensive compared to North America. - Oct 2014
The farther from the historic center you get, the larger and slightly less expensive the grocery stores get. Generally, groceries and household items cost more than in the US. There is a large assortment of outdoor markets available everywhere which sell fresh produce and small household items at relatively inexpensive prices. Fruits and vegetables are seasonal, so don't expect to find all produce at all times, and if you do, expect to pay dearly out of season. - May 2013
Groceries are readily available at grocery stores, kiosks, and outdoor markets. Everything is 20-40% more expensive that you'd expect, except wine. In many cases wine is cheaper than water and Coke. - Apr 2012
Everything is expensive here. But, between the commissary and the local stores, you can get almost anything. The hardest part is getting to the local stores when they're open and then packing your groceries home--because you usually can't park by the store and end up walking to and from. It takes some organization. We often order things from amazon, just so we don't have to fight it. - Aug 2010
Groceries are slightly more expensive, but produce from the markets is actually cheaper and better quality. - Apr 2009
It depends on what sorts of foods you rely on. If you stick to the Mediterranean diet, it's fairly inexpensive. If you try to stick to your American diet, it will be more expensive than maintaing that in the U.S. For example, olive oil and wine cost about half as much as they do in the U.S. However, canned corn costs twice as much. Pre-packaged foods are also considerably more expensive. But fruits and veggies, especially those in season, are very inexpensive. If you work with the U.S. government here, you have access to all the military commisaries, and the embassy commisary as well. However, the embassy commisary is fairly expensive. If you need peanut butter, it's your best bet, but everything else can be had on the economy at a fair price - and without all the preservatives and artificial sweetners and colors. - Feb 2008
Everything is more expensive when it costs US$1.51 to buy one euro. Luckily for us we have very easy access to the Naval Support site and can shop at the commissary there where groceries are insanely cheap. - Feb 2008
