Overview
- The Bravo fintech study estimates average savings of €263 per month, or roughly €3,200 per year, by replacing restaurant lunches with home-prepared meals.
- A typical pasta, water and coffee costs about €16 in the North and €13 in the South against roughly €1.7 when made at home, driving the gap.
- In absolute terms the biggest annual savings appear in northern hubs, with Milan and Monza reaching up to €3,630, followed by cities like Parma, Modena and Bologna.
- Measured as a share of pay, the advantage is greatest in lower-wage areas, led by Vibo Valentia at 22.3% of monthly gross income, then Grosseto at 21.5% and Imperia at 21%, while Milan stands at 10.8%.
- Corriere, Il Sole 24 Ore and Panorama report the figures from Bravo and note rising dining costs, as separate Censis-Camst data indicate 78% of workers eat a home-prepared lunch and 62% cook it specifically for work.