Rentals in Italy: the most sought-after provincial capitals in the second quarter of 2026

Bolzano led the charts in terms of the relative demand index for the rental sector during the second quarter of 2026, while Milan and Rome failed to make it to the top 10.

Prospective tenants in Italy are encountering a tough market: demand remains high, and average monthly rents have peaked since 2012. But where is this pressure most pronounced?

The study by the idealista/data research group for the second quarter of 2026 paints a detailed picture of rental demand in Italy's provincial capitals, revealing some unexpected findings. Bolzano leads the pack, with Milan and Rome trailing far behind. However, interpreting the data correctly is crucial.

Methodology of the Study

The analysis was based on two primary metrics:

• Relative Demand Index – indicates the demand pressure on supply in a specific area, calculated from the average number of inquiries per listing (including emails and ad shares).
• Average Listing Duration — the typical period a rental listing stays online before being taken down.

Cities with the Strongest Rental Demand

Bolzano leads with a relative demand index of 48.25, significantly ahead of other cities, highlighting a severe scarcity of supply amidst high demand.

Following closely are Rimini (38.83) and Prato (33.90) in the second and third spots.

The top five also includes Trento (32.80) and Pordenone (30.72), underscoring the vibrant rental market activity in the northeast and central regions of the country.

The top ten featured:

• Brescia (26.60) and Verona (24.35) — established dynamic markets in Lombardy and Veneto;
• Imperia (23.25);
• Pistoia (22.57);
• Forlì (21.84).

Performance of Major Metropolitan Areas

Among the major cities, Rome ranked the highest, securing 16th place with an index of 20.47 and an average listing duration of 32 days.

Other metropolitan areas fared less impressively:

• Turin — 34th place (index 14.71; 30 days);
• Genoa — 32nd place (index 14.89; 31 days);
• Bologna — 54th place (index 12.26; 28 days).

A notable surprise was Milan's position: with an index of just 6.83, it ranked only 85th out of 110 cities. This might seem contradictory for the city with Italy's highest rents. However, this can be explained by the index's nature: in cities where prices act as a stringent filter due to limited supply, the number of responses per listing decreases compared to areas with more affordable and abundant housing. Milan boasts the highest total number of listings on the platform, with ads typically running for 41 days.

Regarding other major cities:

• Florence — 67th place (index 10.03; 42 days);
• Naples — 79th place (index 8.06; 41 days);
• Palermo — 80th place (index 7.97; 53 days).

In total, 48 administrative centers displayed a demand index above the Italian average of 13.03.

Fastest and Slowest Rental Markets

The duration of listings provides additional insights into market dynamics.

Leaders in swift rentals:

1. Trieste - properties rented in just 10 days;
2. Rovigo - 14 days;
3. Pordenone - 15 days;
4. Prato - 16 days;
5. Ravenna - 17 days.

In these cities, demand swiftly meets supply.

Locations with prolonged listing periods:

• Urbino — a remarkable 262 days;
• Mass — 175 days;
• Enna — 165 days.

In these regions, listings linger for months in search of occupants.

Southern Italy and Islands at the Bottom

The bottom tier of the rankings predominantly comprises cities in the southern regions (Mezzogiorno).