What is the primary source of income in Anno 117?

The primary and most consistent source of income is **tax revenue** generated from your residential buildings, which increases as you upgrade population tiers and satisfy more of their needs.

How can I increase the income generated by my residences?

You increase income by **fulfilling more of your population's needs**, especially their public services (like a Market or Tavern), and by **upgrading them to higher population tiers**, as higher tiers pay significantly more taxes.

Is trading a viable way to make money in Anno 117?

Yes, **selling surplus high-value goods** like wine, togas, or military supplies to other Governors or the Imperial Trader can be a major source of income once your production chains are optimized.

Anno 117 How To Make Money

© gamerblurb.com | Published on 11/12/2025 at 11:37 PM CST (USA)

Anno 117: Pax Romana

Building up a steady denarii flow in Anno 117 feels slow at first, yet the game gives you plenty of tools to turn things around once you know where to look. This guide walks through the clean steps that actually boost income without wasting resources.

The Quick Answer

You make money in Anno 117 by growing residential districts and giving those houses income buffs from key goods and services. When those needs are met, every home generates more denarii, which carries your entire economy.

Core Ways To Raise Income

Your entire economy starts with homes. Houses cost resources, not money, so you can place as many as your supply chains support. When a house has residents, it creates income. Meeting their needs raises that number even more.

Markets and food producers give early income buffs. A Fishing Hut adds income when its fish need is met. A Market adds income to every home inside its radius. These effects stack if they come from different buildings or a the gb-proxy. They do not double stack if you place the same building twice right next to each other.

Production buildings have constant upkeep. For example, bakeries and pig farms drain money until your houses offset their cost. Do not rush new buildings the moment they unlock. Only place them when your workforce and wallet can support them.

Starting Profits On A Fresh Island

The early game always begins with negative balance. That is normal. Focus on placing Fishing Huts and a Market near your starting homes. Once those houses get their first income buffs, your balance flips quickly.

Pay attention to service radius. If some houses sit just outside the Market range, they generate zero extra income. Expanding your layout or adding a second Market helps, but spread them far apart so you do not waste upkeep.

Checking Your Money Flow

Hover your balance at the top of the screen to see where you stand. The governance income menu shows exactly which buildings are giving or draining money. Select a home and open the effects panel to see every active income source. This helps you spot gaps in your layout before they become expensive problems.

Deeper Ways To Boost Your Economy

Specialists That Change Everything

Governance buildings like the Governor Villa let you socket Specialists. Some increase income. Some lower upkeep. Place these buildings in the center of a town so their radius covers as many homes as possible.

Research For Stronger Buffs

The research tree has income upgrades. For example, Fish Markets boosts the income effect from fishing huts. Market Forces increases Market range. These upgrades multiply your profit with zero extra upkeep.

Selling Goods For Steady Coin

Surplus goods convert into money. Traders buy anything you flag for sale in the Trading Post. Adjust your minimum stock so you do not sell items you still need. You can also run contracts from rival leaders for fast denarii rewards. Trade routes let you automate the whole thing once you have ships.

Smart Building Choices

Ships, barracks, and higher tier production chains are expensive. Build them only when your base economy is secure. Fires also remove income buffs until repaired, so keep Wells or City Watch nearby.

Good Early Income Items

Tunics and Garum are among the best early income boosts. Bread pays well too but lowers fire safety. Always balance profit with protection so you do not lose an entire district to flames.

Final Blurb

Money grows fast in Anno 117 once your homes start stacking buffs from food, services, and research. Get your early layout tight, keep upkeep low, and use specialists and trade to push your town into real profit. With the right setup your balance stays green even during heavy expansion.