Cost of Living in France

Is the cost of living in France high?

We asked people how much they someone comfortably live on in France, they wrote:

"This of course depends widely on where you live and what luxuries you will require. To give you an good idea you can find a city centre one bedroom apartment for about 700Euro and a three course meal at a restaurant generally costs me about 50Euro. Groceries are much cheaper then restaurants of course," explained one expat.

"That all depends on the size of the accommodation, and the lifestyle of the people concerned. Many people seen on the Homes in the Sun programmes buy old, 3 storey properties out in the sticks (beautiful views but not very sensible as you get older). Stay realistic about where you will be in 5 and 10yrs. time. If you are 60 now, then stairs will be a little more difficult in 10yrs. Easy access to daily shopping and living facilities shoul be the top prioriry. If possible, have all you need within walking distance - walking is good for you and makes more sense than getting the car out to get a loaf of bread or pop to the post office for 1 letter," said another person in Aude and Herault Departments.

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Expat Health Insurance in France

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Will I save money living in France?

"Yes, I have found ways to save money. Most of these ideas come from talking to the locals, they know best where to buy cheaper and how to get good deals," said another expat in Marseille.

"The exchange rate fluctuations make budgeting a little chaotic at times, but on the whole we have not had any financial worries so far. Having said that, we did ensure we were mortgage-free and had a bit of savings in the bank before moving to cope with any unexpected emergencies. Day to day living can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you make it. If you keep going out for coffees, drinks, or meals, then your budget will rocket fast," remarked another in Aude and Herault Departments.

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What is the average cost of housing in France?

If you are thinking about moving to France, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"Housing costs are lower here than in my home country, but high for France. For a studio, expect to pay about 400 euros, for a one to two bedroom, about 500-700 euros a month," added another person living in Saint Raphael.

"I know this house would rent for twice the 1000 Euros we pay monthly in the area we lived in Florida. I know because I had to arrange housing for our foreign executives and houses this size rented for $2,500 a month. I would say that Orleans is far less expensive that Paris but if you live in the country, you will naturally pay less. However, you won't have the conveniences we have," explained one expat living in Orleans.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

Learn MoreGET A QUOTE