Considering France as your next place? C'est si bon! This is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe; before the pandemic, it was in Top-3 tourist destinations for EU citizens, right after Spain and Italy. While a weekend in Paris has become somewhat of a romantic cliche and there is a semi-official medical term' Paris syndrome', what is the actual cost of living in France per month, the average meal cost in Paris and the cheapest place to live in France?
While this guide mostly focuses on your budget and such points as France's standard of living, average rent in France or food prices in France, let's first talk about the general pros and cons of moving there. Is France a good country to live in for an expat?
First, while France is a Schengen zone country, which is a huge plus, there is no such thing as a digital nomad visa. The country's bureaucracy is infamous, and expats generally may require some extra help from their employer or agencies to get a living permit, rent an apartment, set up a bank account or transfer money to their loved ones. If you are a non-EU resident, read our tips on setting up a bank account in Europe.
Another thing to be aware of is strikes: venting fury in the streets has been a trend since the French Revolution (started in 1789 and lasted ten years). You might want to consider general strike-dedicated areas before choosing a place to rent. The same issue may affect public transport, which otherwise makes the country very available. We also hope you like the language, as you will have to learn it, especially if you choose to live elsewhere than Paris.
On the other hand, expats praise nature, the most beautiful cities and towns, French food – and the French way of living. The average working week here is 35 hours, the people are more laid back, and the overall vibe here is to take a seat on the terrace and enjoy life watching pedestrians. The French have a special word – flâneur – which means a person strolling aimlessly and observing the world around them.
Is it expensive to live in France?
In a 2021 study, Eurostat ranked 36 countries in Europe in terms of how expensive they were. They looked into such categories as food and drinks, clothing, gas, electricity, transport, restaurants, hotels and many others.
The top of the list was predictably occupied by Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. France ranks 11. So the short answer will be: yes, it is quite expensive, but still near average prices in the EU. The average rent in France may be two or more times higher than in Eastern Europe. But compared to, say, the US, it is way cheaper (and the healthcare is way better than in the States since we mention them).
The average cost of living in France per month can be summed up by this table:
| One-bedroom apartment | €800-1000. |
| Groceries | €300. |
| Smartphone plan | €20. |
| Monthly public transport pass | €30-75 |
| Leisure | €300 |
Depending on your contract, the rent fee may or may not include utilities: water, electricity, gas, the Internet, waste collection, etc. Average utilities may total at €250. You may also have to buy an annual social security. That may hit approximately €215 and be added to any other insurance top-ups you might be required to pay depending on your employment situation.
To give you a feeling of food prices in France, here's another quotation:
| Chicken breast, 500 gr | €6 |
| Milk, 1 litre | €1.30 |
| 12 eggs | €4 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | €3.52 |
| Cheese, 500 gr | €8 |
| Apples, 1 kg | €2.74 |
| Baguette | €1 |
Supermarkets are not really a thing in France, so you most probably won't be able to buy all the products you need at one stop. There are boulangeries, dairy shops, grocery stores and other specialized facilities – all this affects food prices in France but also assures a better quality of what you eat.
Tuition fees in France are on the lowish side for European residents. State schools are virtually free of charge, and you may have to cover lunches only or, depending on the municipality, a small fee for the school manuals. Most affordable public universities, such as the University of Strasbourg, may charge up to €600 per year. Private schooling and education for non-EU/EEA residents are up to every particular place or even up to a particular course. The same University of Strasbourg, for instance, does not distinguish between international and local students for most programs.
What is the cheapest place to live in France? (Spoiler: not Paris)
France's standards of living are hugely affected by Paris. According to some indexes, the capital ranks as the 35th most expensive city in the world. For instance, an average meal cost in Paris will be around €20 at an inexpensive restaurant for one person, while the same arrangement in Dijon would be around €15. Most major cities and towns in France are estimated to perform 30% cheaper in terms of monthly cost of living than Paris.
The cheapest cities in France include Nîmes, Montpellier, Grenoble, Lille, Châteauroux, Dijon and Le Havre. You could also try looking up Marseille and Lannion, which are really good deals out of the seaside places.
The cheapest place to live in France is actually estimated to be Nîmes in France's south. It is famous for the still preserved Roman architecture, including the Amphithéâtre de Nîmes and the Maison Carrée temple. Expats estimate you could get by here on a mere €1100 per month while, officially, the cost of living in Nîmes is 13% below the national average.
To conclude this guide: the average cost of living in France per month is cheaper than in 60% of Western European countries (11 out of 18). France is ranked in the top 30 of the best countries to live in, but Paris is also among the most expensive cities in the world and may be a difficult gamble for a nomad. If you are one, read our tips for digital nomads to make your life easier.
While there are nice deals for well-established expats, and we have named a few of the cheapest cities in France, setting up a bank account in France could be somewhat of a predicament, as banks do not favour non-residents. However, you can still send and get money without a bank account – we at Profee can help you with that.
Profee is an electronic wallet that, among others, offers international card-to-card and P2P money transfers. Even if you don't have an account yet, the whole process will take you just 3 minutes to complete. Depending on your account, you can send from €150 to €100,000. We keep minimal fees and maximum security. Try our fast and secure money transfers or read more about what Profee can do for you.
