Rome is one of those cities that feels completely different depending on your daily budget. With 60 dollars you can still see almost everything and have a great time. With 280 dollars per day the experience becomes much more comfortable and exclusive. Here is how it looks in practice.
Luxury
For budget travelers a bed in a good hostel or a small private room in an Airbnb usually costs between 25 and 40 dollars a night. The rooms are basic but clean and you often stay within walking distance to the main sights or just one metro stop away. Many hostels have a kitchen so you can save even more on food and you meet other travelers from all over the world which makes evenings more fun.
Eating on a budget in Rome is actually one of the best parts. You can have amazing breakfast with fresh cornetto and cappuccino for just few euros in a local bar. Lunch and dinner can be simple but tasty: pizza al taglio takeaway pasta from small family trattorias or the famous Roman street food like suppli and porchetta. Gelato is a must every day and you can easily keep daily food costs around 20-25 dollars while eating very well.
You mostly walk everywhere because the historic center is quite compact. When your legs get tired you buy a daily public transport ticket and use the metro or buses. Its cheap reliable and you avoid all the traffic stress. Many people also rent a bike for a day to move around faster.
Rome has so many free or very cheap things to do. You can walk around the Pantheon the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps without paying anything. Many churches are free to enter and on the first Sunday of the month some big museums offer free entry. You can also join free walking tours with tips or simply sit on the steps and watch the city life around you.