How does eating pastries in Paris, getting some vitamin D along the French Riviera, or putting your feet up in Provence sound? If that is your idea of heaven, you’ll want to understand the cost of living in France in 2025 to make your move with confidence.
Knowing where your money will go—and how far it will stretch—is a big part of any relocation experience. In this Remitly guide, we will break down everything you should know about living expenses in France, including a comparison across different regions. Whether you’re moving for work or study, taking the plunge into nomad life, or retiring to your favourite French village, we’ll help you figure out what to expect financially.
Overview of the cost of living in France
As with any country, living expenses in France vary from one region to the next. They are also affected by your lifestyle choices.
Regional cost variations
Overall, you’ll need a bigger moving to France budget—Paris remains the most expensive city to live in. But if you have your heart set on a provincial city like Montpellier or Rennes, or smaller rural towns, your budget will take you much further.
To put things into perspective:
- The average monthly cost of living in Paris, excluding rent, is €1,000 to €1,300 per person.
- Living in a smaller city like Nantes or Toulouse will cost between €900 and €1,000 per month.
- If you choose a more rural town, your monthly cost of living might be as little as €800 or less.
Comparing other countries
When we compare France to neighboring countries, living costs fall somewhere in the middle. Generally:
- You’ll pay more in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK.
- Countries like Spain, Italy, and Portugal are more affordable.
- Expenses are comparable in Belgium and Italy.
Life in the US is more expensive than in France, too. However, costs will vary depending on the specific city and your lifestyle.
A breakdown of living costs in France
Now you’ve got a general overview of your living expenses in France, let’s examine these costs in more detail.
Accommodation
A good portion of your budget will be spent on accommodation. French rental prices vary widely depending on the region:
| Studio (EUR) | 1 B/R apartment (EUR) | 2 B/R apartment (EUR) | |
| Paris | 900–1,300 | 1,200–1,800 | 1,800–2,500 |
| Lyon, Marseille, and other provincial cities | 600–800 | 800–1,100 | 1,100–1,600 |
| Small rural towns | 400–600 | 500–800 | 700–1,000 |
You can save money by considering shared housing options, which are especially popular in larger cities. Scholarship students can also apply for affordable accommodation through the Regional Center for University and School Work (CROUS). With this option, rental costs typically range from €200 to €500 per month.
Want to learn more about housing? Check out our guide to renting a property in France as a US expat.
Food and eating out
France is the best place to eat well without breaking the bank, especially if you plan to do a lot of home cooking. Shopping at a chain supermarket like Carrefour and Intermarché will also reduce costs.
Monthly grocery budget
Your monthly food bill will depend on where you shop and how much you buy. On average, look forward to spending €250–€350 as a single adult, €400–€600 for couples, and €700–€900 for a family of four.
Of course, this also depends on your personal tastes. If you enjoy getting the cheapest grocery deals or prefer to spend more on premium options, your spending might look slightly different.
Eating out costs
The cost to dine in France’s legendary restaurants is pretty consistent across different regions. However, expect to spend more at tourist hotspots, like cafés with a view of the Eiffel Tower, for example.
On average, a cup of coffee usually costs €2–€4 . Dinner at a mid-range restaurant ranges between €25 and €40 per person, while fast food, like a McDonald’s meal, will set you back €8–€12 .
As with most other living expenses in France, eating out in rural regions is typically more affordable.
Transportation
So, you know how much it’ll cost to eat in France—but what about getting around? It’s important to decide whether youll be driving or using the country’s extensive public transport system.
Public transport costs
How much you’ll pay for public transport depends on your exact transit mode. Metro, tram, and bus passes offer good value. By paying a set monthly fee, you’ll be free to use your preferred public transport option as much as you want.
The price of these passes varies by region:
- In Paris and the surrounding regions, you’ll need a Navigo travel pass, which costs around €88 .
- Passes in smaller cities range from €30 to €70 .
- Most regions offer discounted passes for students.
If you don’t want to commit long-term to a pass, you can buy a single ticket instead. These usually cost around €1.60 to €2.10 .
Driving costs
Driving in France is generally more expensive than in the US. That’s because buying a car is costly, and fuel prices are higher. Also, there are a lot of toll roads you’ll probably have to use on longer drives—unless you want to take the very long way around.
On average, you can expect to pay:
- €1.657 /litre for petrol
- €600–€900 /year for insurance
- €500–€800 /year on general car maintenance
- €15–€60 for tolls on major roads
Public transport is the cheaper and less stressful option for most, unless you plan to live in a remote area. But if you want to drive, don’t forget to get a French driver’s license so you can do so legally in the long term.
Utilities and internet
Utilities like gas, electricity, internet costs, and mobile plans can vary based on your house size, your usage, and the provider you choose. Here’s what you can generally expect to pay.
Monthly utility costs
To keep things simple, let’s assume you’re renting a one- or two-bedroom apartment. Your spend on monthly utilities will be:
- €20–€40 on water.
- €100–€160 on electricity and gas.
- Variable local property taxes typically include waste collection, subject to the size and location of your home.
Internet and mobile plans
A phone plan and internet connection in your home will help you avoid paying high rates. Here’s how much you’ll spend:
- €25–€40 per month on fibre broadband.
- €10–€25 per month on a mobile plan covering data, calls, and texts.
A popular way to reduce costs in this category is to get a bundle deal. In France, the leading providers are Orange, Free Mobile, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom; each offers good coverage across the country.
Healthcare
Healthcare in France is generally very good, and it’s relatively affordable, even for expats.
Immigrants can register to access the French public healthcare system through Sécurité Sociale, though you might need private coverage initially. But it’s important to note that state-sponsored healthcare isn’t entirely free in France. As a patient, you could be expected to partially cover your care with co-payments. Some top-up insurance plans will cover these contributions.
On average:
- A GP visit costs €25 without insurance
- Visiting a specialist may cost between €40 and €70
- Health insurance for expats costs range from €40 to €80 per month
A common path many expats take is getting comprehensive international health insurance first, then switching to local options once they’ve settled in. Here’s our guide to getting health insurance in France.
Entertainment and leisure
If you want to experience the very best of France, you’ll need to budget to see and do everything the country has to offer. Average entertainment and leisure costs are as follows:
- €10–€13 for a cinema ticket
- €9–€15 for museum entry passes
- €20–€80 per concert ticket
- €25–€50 /month on a gym membership
If you live in a big city and plan to do a lot of sightseeing, check out the Culture Pass program, which allows you to spend less. Options like the Paris Museum Pass are incredibly extensive and convenient.
Saving tips for living in France
Some costs are non-negotiable, but there are still ways to live well while minimizing your spending, helping stretch your moving to France budget even further. Here are some effective money-saving tips:
Buy supermarket-brand grocery items
Just like in the US, most major French supermarkets sell own-brand items—called “marque de distributeur” (MDD)—at a fraction of the cost of branded versions. Buying MDD items can help you shave several euros off your weekly shopping bill.
Open a French savings account
Many transactions in France require you to open a French bank account. However, it’s worth looking into savings accounts, too. If you want to build a financial future here, placing some of your cash in a good savings account can be advantageous.
If you plan to travel a lot while living in France, you’ll save money by buying a monthly or yearly pass rather than paying for each ticket individually. You can also look into bike-sharing schemes, offered by many cities for €20 to €40 per year.
Be smart about housing locations
Rents outside city centres can drop by up to 30-40%, so if you don’t have to live centrally, this can be a good way to save money. Most outer-city residential areas have easy, direct transportation into the urban core, so you won’t be missing out by living on the outskirts.
Get ready to live affordably in France
The good news is that having an enjoyable experience living in France is feasible, even on a moderate income. All you have to do is take the time to evaluate costs and budget before your move.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to live in France than the US?
Yes. Generally, the cost of living in France is lower than that in the US. This depends on where you’re moving from and to—living centrally in a big city like Paris will be more expensive than a smaller city or residential area.
What is the cheapest place in France to live?
Grenoble, Nîmes, and the Occitanie region are often cited as some of the more budget-friendly places to live in France. Cities like Toulouse and Lyon are also relatively affordable.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in France?
The amount of money you need to live comfortably in France depends on where you plan to live and what kind of lifestyle you plan to lead. Some visa requirements indicate you should have a monthly income of at least €1,800 for a single person, or €3,600 for a couple.
What is considered a lot of money in France?
As in the US, what is considered “a lot of money” in France is subjective based on a person’s own background and financial situation. But 2024 research by Observatoire des Inégalités noted that a single person with no dependents must make a net of €3,860 per month to be considered rich in France.