Finance

Cost of living in France: Food, transport, and more

Is it true that the cost of living in France is among the highest in Europe? We analyse the prices of its main services.

The cost of living in France varies significantly depending on the city. Paris, for example, is among the world’s most expensive capitals, while Lille, Nantes, or Rennes can be more affordable. Whether you’re here to study, work, or as a long-stay tourist, here’s the real cost of living in France in 2025.

This updated guide includes accommodation options and prices, average food costs in supermarkets and restaurants, plus healthcare and transport expenses. We’ll also cover internet plans and practical tips to optimise your budget. Discover with us if living in France is really as expensive as they say!

In this article

Average accommodation costs in France

Let’s start with housing. In France, you’ll find flats, rooms, hotels, coliving, and hostels. In Paris, rents are very high, but Toulouse, Nantes, or Rennes are cheaper. Here are some examples:

One-bedroom flat: In Paris, prices start at $1,606 (€1,400) monthly, while in Nantes from $906 (€790).
Coliving: If you’re a digital nomad, you’ll know coliving. In Paris, Coco Community costs $1,147 (€1,000) monthly.
Room: A popular option for students. Shared rooms cost from $688 (€600) in Paris, or $425 (€370) in Lille or Toulouse.
Hotel: A Paris hotel night starts at $115 (€100), while in Rennes $90 (€80) at B&B Rennes Ouest Villejean.
Hostel: Sharing a dorm reduces costs. At Bastille Hostel Paris, bunks start at $51 (€45) nightly.

Foreigners living in France. Source: Pexels

Food costs in France

French gastronomy is world-famous, but eating in France isn’t overpriced if you shop smartly. At Carrefour, you’ll find 3-for-1 offers and loyalty discounts. Here’s a sample shopping basket:

Pasta (500 g): $1.25 (€1.10)
Eggs (12 units): $3.45 (€3.00)
Milk (1 litre): $1.60 (€1.40)
Beef (1 kg): $16.00 (€14.00)
Chicken (1 kg): $10.25 (€8.90)
Chocolate (100 g): $2.15 (€1.85)
Coffee (250 g): $4.80 (€4.20)

If you dine out in Paris, the cost of living rises. Outside the capital, menus are 15–30% cheaper, letting locals enjoy food without overspending. Example: Le Pétit Troquet in Paris:

Type of Meal	Dish	Price
Breakfast	Croissant with coffee	$6.90 (€6.00)
Food	Quiche Lorraine	$16 (€14)
Dinner	Boeuf Bourguignon	$26 (€23)

Typical menu at a Parisian restaurant.

Transport prices in France

France has excellent public transport, especially in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, though pricier than other European capitals. Here’s what to expect:

Public transport

Buses, metros, and trams run frequently and punctually. The Paris Metro runs 5:30 AM–12:30 AM on weekdays. Approximate fares:

Bus/metro ticket: $2.30 (€2.15) in Paris.
Monthly pass: $87 (€81) in Paris; $68 (€63) in Lyon or Marseille.

Taxi, Uber, and Bolt

Quicker transport is possible with Uber, Bolt, or taxis. You can book via apps or at designated taxi stops. Prices:

Taxi: 5 km costs $13.75 (€12).
Uber: the same trip costs $8.60 (€7.50)–$11.45 (€10).
Bolt: similar to Uber, available in major cities.

Rent a bike in France

France has an extensive cycle lane network, especially in Paris, Bordeaux, and Nantes. Many lanes are separate from traffic, making cycling safe for residents and tourists alike.

If you prefer cycling sustainably and reducing CO₂ emissions, you can use Velib’ in Paris: daily pass $5.50 (€5), monthly pass $37 (€34). Each kilometre cycled instead of driving avoids about 0.2 kg of CO₂, so France strongly promotes bikes with subsidies.

Buy a new car in France

If you need to drive in France, a popular choice is the Renault Clio at about $20,000 (€18,700). Add maintenance, compulsory insurance from $450 (€420) yearly for basic, or $950 (€890) for full coverage, plus fuel:

Petrol: around $7.00 (€6.50) per gallon.
Electric charging: about $0.30 (€0.28) per kWh.

Travel France by car. Source: Shutterstock.

Healthcare costs in France

France offers one of Europe’s best healthcare systems, based on universal social security complemented by mutuelle insurance, which covers extra costs. If you are a citizen of the EU, you can request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the health authority in your country and enjoy the same rights as any resident.

What happens if you are not an EU national? If you’re non-EU, you’ll need private insurance until obtaining residency over three months, allowing you to apply for the Carte Vitale. Typical medical costs:

Medical services	Approximate cost without insurance	Social security cover	Mutuelle cover
General medical consultation	$28 (€25)	70%	30%
Consultation with a specialist	$57 (€50)	70%	30%
Dentist consultation	€30-€50 ($34-$57)	70%	30%
Appendicitis surgery:	€4,500-€6,500 ($5,165-$7,460)	80–100%	Remaining
Paracetamol (500 mg):	$1.55 (€1.35)	100%	–
Ibuprofen (400 mg):	$1.55 (€1.35)	100%	–

Healthcare costs in France.

Internet and mobile plan prices in France

France has strong digital infrastructure, with fibre optic widely available and competitive prices, often below $34 (€30) monthly. Here are the main providers:

Sosh Fibre Orange: $28.70 (€25.99) for 1 Gbit/s / 800 Mbit/s
RED Box Fibre: $22.95 (€20.99) for 1 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s
B&You Pure Fibre: $27.55 (€23.99) for 8 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s
Free Mobile: unlimited data for $22.95 (€20) monthly
Orange: up to 100 GB for $22.95 (€20) monthly

If you often travel between France and abroad, choose Holafly monthly plans. They provide unlimited data in 170+ destinations, including France, with stable 5G. Setup is quick via the app, with no roaming fees. Pick your plan:

Subscription	Details	Rate
10 GB Plan	Ideal for short trips or basic use.	$40.93 (€39.90)
25 GB Plan	Perfect for video calls, teamwork, and file downloads.	$51.19 (€49.90)
Unlimited Plan	The best option for remote workers and heavy users.	$67.90 (€64.90)

Features of Holafly’s monthly plans

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Leisure costs in France

Leisure activities strongly influence the cost of living in France. From cinema and theatre to zoos or iconic Paris landmarks, options are endless. Here are average prices:

Cinema: $11.50–$13 (€10–€12)
Theatre: $17–$35 (€15–€30)
Zoo: $25 (€22) adults, $19 (€17) children
Palace of Versailles: free under 26, otherwise $36 (€32) Louvre Museum:
Louvre Museum: if you want to see the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, you will need to pay an entrance fee of $25 (€22).
Eiffel Tower: to reach the very top and admire it from the inside, the cost is around $41 (€36) for an adult and from $10 (€9) for children.
Seine boat tour: from $19 (€17)
Streaming: Netflix from $8 (€6.99) monthly

Enjoy leisure activities in France. Source: Shutterstock.

In conclusion, the minimum cost of living in France ranges between $1,490–$2,120 (€1,300–€1,850) monthly, with a shared room in Paris. Depending on location and budget, living here can be more or less expensive. So, after calculating, are you ready to live in France?