Cost of Living in France

One of the key steps in preparing to move to another country is learning about the local cost of living and the prices of goods and services. Estimating the budget required for a comfortable life in a new place can help you choose an appropriate source of income and reduce the stress of adapting.

This short guide explains how people live in France, what their daily expenses are, and how much they spend each month. It will be useful for anyone planning to relocate.

Previously, we wrote about how to obtain a work visa in France and published the article Top Cities For Living in France.

Compared to other EU countries like Italy or Spain, France is not a cheap place to live. Paris ranks second among the most expensive cities in the world. On the other hand, according to Eurostat, living in France is still more affordable than in Switzerland, the UK, or Ireland.

It’s worth noting that nationwide statistics are slightly inflated due to the high cost of living in Paris. In reality, one can live comfortably for much less by choosing a less touristy city for relocation.

In terms of prices, France sits somewhere between Spain and the UK.

According to another source, the average annual salary in France is €49,800 — about €4,150 per month before tax and €2,862 after tax. The minimum wage in the country is €11,800 per year, or €983 per month gross.

So, how much does it cost to live in France? According to Numbeo, the average monthly expenses for one person are estimated at €949, excluding rent. A family of four would need around €3,367 per month, also excluding housing costs.

Due to the ongoing rise in the cost of groceries, gasoline, and real estate in France’s largest and most expensive cities — such as Paris and Bordeaux — many families are relocating to more remote areas. Increasingly, people are opting for smaller towns or even rural areas to cut expenses.

However, cities like Rennes and Angers, often considered alternatives to the capital, are facing new challenges due to this population shift. As population density rises, even in France’s more affordable cities, the pressure on the housing market grows, leading to higher prices across all goods and services.

These figures provide only an approximate picture of the cost of living in France. In reality, household budgets vary widely depending on location, personal needs, and lifestyle.

Food prices in France are generally moderate to high. On average, households spend 32.3% of their budget on supermarket and market purchases, and an additional 17.4% on dining out.

According to Statista, in 2024 around one-third of respondents spent no more than €200 per month on groceries. Only 14% of survey participants could afford to allocate more than €500 per month for food.

A 2024 INSEE study shows that food expenses vary based on household composition and living standards in France:

The INSEE study takes into account the frequency with which households of different income levels purchase imported and expensive products. Families with smaller budgets can afford such expenses less often.

Typical distribution of a food budget:

This breakdown is based on a couple living together with a monthly food budget of €400.

Despite relatively high costs, you can save on groceries in France. Even in Paris, smart shopping can ease the burden. Supermarkets frequently offer discounts, run promotions, and reward loyal customers through store cards. Coupons are also widely used to get better deals.

Buying seasonal and local produce is another effective way to reduce spending. Products at street markets can be cheaper, especially late in the day when vendors often lower prices — and haggling is sometimes welcomed.

According to ParisRental, the rent-to-income ratio in Paris in 2025 exceeds 36%, significantly higher than in other European cities — 30% in Brussels and below 30% in Vienna. In the most desirable neighborhoods of the French capital, monthly rent can surpass €40 per square meter.

Nationwide, the French spend on average 21.1% of their monthly income on rent. The actual amount varies depending on the type of housing and city. Sharing a flat or renting a room can help save money, though this option is usually more suitable for singles than for couples or families.

In 2024, the average monthly rent across France was €723. While this may seem affordable, it often hides the reality of limited space. For example:

The most affordable rent was found in Saint-Étienne, at €10 per square meter.

Property purchase prices are also high. The national average is:

It’s a relatively good deal. In Paris, the prices rise dramatically:

France operates a universal public healthcare system that covers residents and citizens. While medical services are not entirely free, patients are reimbursed for most of the medical expenses.

Most French people combine public coverage with private health insurance. For foreigners, private insurance is mandatory if they are not yet covered by the national healthcare system. The cost of private plans ranges from €5 to €200 per month.

Prescription medications (ordonnances) are also partially reimbursed. Reimbursement rates range from 15% to 100% depending on the medication’s importance. For example, if a drug costs €20 and is classified as “significantly important, ” the government reimburses 65% minus a €1 deductible (for all medications). Out of the €20 spent, the patient would be reimbursed €11.50. The annual reimbursement cap is €50 per person, except for essential medications where this limit does not apply.

Aside from hospitals and medications, preventive care and wellness are additional expenses:

Despite France’s association with iconic fashion designers and major fashion weeks, only 2.5% of monthly household budgets is spent on clothing, according to Numbeo. The CSA Institute, together with the European bank Oney, reported on the results of a quick survey on French consumer behavior in 2024 which revealed that just 39% of respondents make spontaneous clothing purchases for enjoyment.

French consumers tend to shop cautiously. Monthly retail analytics from Retail Int. for the Commercial Alliance showed a decline in in-store clothing sales throughout most of 2024, particularly at branded retailers. Sales increased only during the summer and September back-to-school season. Even Black Friday and clearance sales failed to significantly boost spending on new coats or suits.

Average clothing prices in France (Numbeo, 2025):

When signing a rental contract in France, it’s important to check whether utilities are included in the monthly rent. In most cases, particularly for short-term rentals, utility bills are paid separately, with landlords issuing either fixed or variable monthly charges.

Average monthly utility costs (electricity, gas, water, and internet) depend on the city, apartment size, and consumption. Previously in this guide, we noted the average utility costs for various cities:

Tenants are typically responsible for setting up utility accounts with providers and ensuring invoices are issued in their name and paid on time.

No matter how people live in France, nearly everyone has a deep appreciation for entertainment. From music and audiobooks to movies, amusement parks, and live concerts — if locals find ways to have fun, immigrants will too.

For fans of walking or jogging with music, streaming services such as Spotify (from €11.99/month) or Deezer (from €10.99/month) offer great options.

A movie ticket typically costs €12 per person per session. A Netflix subscription ranges from €5.99 to €19.99/month, with the lower tier including ads.

According to studies, the French love games:

Consider buying local favorites such as Monopoly (€8.60), UNO (€9.99), or Scrabble (€91). It’s a fun way to relax and also meet new people.

Most French cities have well-developed public transport systems, including buses, trams, and metro lines. A single ticket costs around €1.80, while a monthly pass is approximately €62. A taxi ride starts at €4.50, plus €1.96 per kilometer.

As previously mentioned, fuel prices average €1.80/liter across the country. However, car owners should expect increases, with prices reaching €2/liter in 2025. Other costs include insurance, regular inspections, and maintenance.

E-scooter rentals are also widely available and so popular that guided sightseeing tours often include 1–2 hour scooter rides in major tourist cities. Rental services charge from €0.38 per minute. From age 14, personal scooters are allowed, but insurance is required, along with a speed limit of 25 km/h.

France also boasts many bike lanes, especially in tourist areas for leisurely sightseeing. But locals also use them for daily commutes. Strasbourg is especially bike-friendly, with 1.17 km of bike lanes per 1,000 residents. Biking is essentially free, aside from occasional maintenance costs.

Why is it important for a future immigrant to know the cost of living in the country? In 2024, France approved nearly 3 million visas, many of which were issued to those who received job offers or were admitted to study programs. A significant number of foreigners who move abroad for work or education continue to support their families back home — either regularly or with small financial gifts for special occasions.

The Korona app was created to simplify the money transfer process and move it from the bank branch to your smartphone. The app is intuitive and easy to use, with its advantages praised by users on platforms such as Trustpilot.

With Korona, you can send money to over 50 countries with minimal exchange rate margins and some of the lowest fees on the market. Transfers can be sent directly in the app or offline at partner money transfer points.

The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

We often write about life and work in Europe in our blog. If you’re interested in this topic, browse our articles to discover more helpful content.