France is one of the most popular countries that expats choose to move to, because the country has a highly developed social sphere, an interesting culture and career opportunities for foreigners. Find out what the cost of living in France is in 2024, including the country's prices for housing, food, transport and more

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France is a country in the European Union, which is known throughout the world for its rich culture, first-class education and high standard of living. The state is a real magnet for expats, representatives from different parts of the world come here, including citizens of Mexico, Moldova, Ukraine and Belgium. However, the average cost of living in France is also quite high, especially in the capital and large cities.

That is why, when planning a move to France, pay attention to the prices and possible expenses in order to assess your prospects in the country in detail and make a good budget.

Is it expensive to live in France?

The French capital is included in the list of the most expensive cities in the world, living here is much more expensive than in Amsterdam, Munich and Brussels, but cheaper than in London, New York and Zurich. The cost of living in other regions of France, and especially in rural areas, will be much lower.

The average cost of living in France per month for one person is about 1,800 euros, however, if you live in Paris, the cost can increase to 2,200 euros.

The budget of a married couple is 2,500–3,000 euros per month outside of large cities. To live in the lively capital of the country - Paris, you also need to increase your budget a little.

A family of four needs about €3,400 per month, not including rent.

Prices for renting real estate in France

As in most other countries of the world, the main item of expenditure in your budget will be the rental of real estate. French housing is notoriously expensive, especially if you opt for a typical metropolitan apartment. When moving from a one-room apartment to a multi-room apartment, prices increase even more. However, you can save on rent if you move to smaller cities or settle in a French suburb.

You will have to pay about 1,800€ per month for a one-room apartment in the center of Paris. If you need two or three bedrooms, then multiply this amount by two.

Apartment rental prices in Lyon are much lower, a one-bedroom apartment in the central part of the city will cost between €700-€1,250 or €1,200-€2,100 for a three-bedroom apartment.

In Marseille, the prices are even lower: the cost of a one-room apartment starts at around €600 per month, and a three-room apartment at €1,125.

To find accommodation for rent in France, visit one of the following portals: Airbnb, Homelike. Spotahome. 

List the best areas of Paris for expat living in this article.

How much does it cost to buy an apartment in France?

As in the case of renting, prices for buying apartments differ significantly depending on the city and neighborhood. In August 2024, the average prices per square meter in different French cities were as follows: Paris – €10,936, Lyon – €5,469, Marseille – €4,377.

So, an apartment with an area of ​​85 square meters in Paris will cost approximately €930,000, and in Marseille - €372,000.

The cost of utilities in France

In France, expats pay for gas, electricity, water and garbage collection, on average it is 200 euros per month (water - 40€, electricity - 79€, gas - 70€, waste collection - 20€), but most often these costs are immediately included in the cost of rent.

The price of Internet in France is also average - basic packages start from about 20-40 euros per month. Also, from 2022, taxpayers no longer need to pay an annual television license for access to public broadcasting.

Food prices in France

In general, products in France are expensive compared to many other countries. For example, prices in France for basic food baskets are 11% higher than in most European countries, and fruits and vegetables are 20% more expensive. Also, your monthly grocery budget will be influenced by many factors, including the city you will be staying in, the store you will choose (large supermarket chains or small shops) and the category of products.

Of course, bulk purchases allow you to save money, but it will not give you a French flavor. On average, you should count on 500-700€ per family per month to buy products.

The average prices for products in France are as follows: 1 liter of milk - 1.39€, a loaf of fresh white bread - 1.84€, 1 kg of rice - 2.48€, 12 eggs - 4.57€, 1 kg of local cheese - 21 €74, 1 kg of apples – €3.25.

If you want value for money, shop at supermarkets like Carrefour Intermarché. For good discount deals, check discount stores such as Lidl and Aldi. If you want organic or premium products, choose specialty stores, but add at least 30% to the budget.

The cost of eating out in France

France is synonymous with fantastic cuisine. Some of the best chefs in the world are French or trained in France, and the variety of places you can go to eat is truly amazing. A three-course dinner for two in a middle-class restaurant will cost €70-80.

A cup of cappuccino costs around €2.80, but expect to spend €3.60 in Paris.

France is definitely known for its wine. The average price of a bottle here is 10-15€.

Health insurance costs in France

One of the positive aspects of the cost of living in France is that everyone who lives in France for more than three months, including foreigners, is entitled to public health insurance - Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa). The size of the monthly payment is 8% of the salary.

This policy covers about 70% of medical expenses, but in some cases, such as cancer, diabetes or the birth of a child in France, the French health system covers 100% of the expenses.

To receive medical care, you must register with a French insurance company and a doctor in France. Most medical procedures need to be done on the referral of a given doctor.

You will need health insurance to safely move and find employment in a new country. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Prices for education in France

The French education system requires all children between the ages of 3 and 16 to attend school. The advantage is that education here is free. The only things parents can pay for are school supplies and field trips. However, public schools in France are usually not bilingual, so many expats look for international schools for their children, which are mostly private, and the cost of tuition here will have to be added to the cost of living. Annual fees for a private school vary quite a bit, but usually start at around €5,000 per year.

The prices for studying in public universities in France are quite pleasant, especially in comparison with educational institutions in the United States or Great Britain.

Students who are citizens of France, the European Union, the European Economic Area, Andorra and Switzerland pay for their studies:

- 175 euros per year for a bachelor's degree.

- 250 euros per year for a master's degree.

- 618 euros per year for studying at an engineering school.

- 391 euros per year for doctoral studies.

Citizens of the rest of the world have to pay 2,850 euros for a bachelor's degree and 3,879 euros for a master's degree.

How much does transport cost in France?

France is widely known for its well-developed public transport system. In particular, it is easy to say that residents of large cities do not need cars at all. The metro systems and other public transport in French cities are quite good and not too expensive. One trip in public transport costs 1.50€ on average, a monthly pass – 80€.

In rural areas, public transport is not so well developed. Therefore, expats here should already think about buying a car. The cost of 1 liter of fuel is €1.60. The monthly budget for car maintenance is €150 – gasoline, insurance and parking fees.

The price of a taxi in France is different. For example, if you take a taxi in Paris or Marseille, the fare will start at €7 and increase by around €1.95 per kilometer. Elsewhere, the initial fare is cheaper at around €3 and then rises to €1.80 per kilometre.

Issuing a work visa and concluding an employment contract are important stages for those who plan to work in France. We have already talked about the important nuances of the employment procedure in France.

What is the average salary in France?

In addition to understanding the average costs in France, it is also useful to analyze the average salary level. Although living in France is not cheap, the average French salary is also higher than in most European countries. In 2022, the average salary in France was 2,340 euros net per month. Usually, the average salary changes in proportion to the living wage in the city. For example, the average salary in Paris is €2,570 per month, which is just enough to cover all your expenses, including rent.

Moving to France will be a good stage in your life, because it is a country with a rich culture, rich life and good career prospects for foreigners.

We will remind you! French migration law distinguishes several categories of visas depending on the duration of the trip and the purpose of the foreigner's stay in the country. We have already talked about the types of French visas that a foreigner can get in 2024.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe trip abroad, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations while traveling around the world.

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