Country topic
Cost of living in France
Prices overall in France were about 0.77 of United States prices at market exchange rates in 2025 (World Bank price level index 76.57, with the United States at 100). It is an economy-wide average, not a budget. We found no dated, sourced 2026 prices for groceries, internet, leisure or private health cover, so those are unknown. [Cost of living C1] Four flats in Toulouse advertised on 10 October 2026 asked €602 to €756 a month including charges: a €618 one-bedroom in Croix Bénite, a €616.30 studio in Saint-Michel, a €602 one-bedroom in Compans-Caffarelli and a €756 one-bedroom near Esquirol metro. These are asking rents on individual adverts, not a city average. [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5]
What we found
The research, with its sources.
Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.
- Prices overall in France were about 0.77 of United States prices at market exchange rates in 2025 (World Bank price level index 76.57, with the United States at 100). It is an economy-wide average, not a budget. We found no dated, sourced 2026 prices for groceries, internet, leisure or private health cover, so those are unknown. [Cost of living C1]
- Four flats in Toulouse advertised on 10 October 2026 asked €602 to €756 a month including charges: a €618 one-bedroom in Croix Bénite, a €616.30 studio in Saint-Michel, a €602 one-bedroom in Compans-Caffarelli and a €756 one-bedroom near Esquirol metro. These are asking rents on individual adverts, not a city average. [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5]
- The government's 2025 indicator puts asking rents for small unfurnished flats at about €14.49 per m² in Clermont-Ferrand, €16.33 in Toulouse, €17.93 in Montpellier, €18.54 in Bordeaux and €18.87 to €20.31 in central Lyon arrondissements, charges included. It is a modelled average, not a quote for any one home. [C6]
- In Lyon and Villeurbanne, for leases signed since November 2021, base rent must stay under a published upper reference rent unless a justified supplement applies. One Lyon 2e advert seen on 10 October 2026 asked €715 including €35 charges, with a stated upper reference rent of €707.66 against a base rent of €680. [C7] [C8]
- A one-bedroom of about 47 m² in Clermont-Ferrand was advertised on 10 October 2026 at €594 a month including €35 charges, with a €559 deposit and €522.06 agency fees. Lift access is not stated. [C9]
- For an unfurnished lease the deposit is capped at one month's rent before charges, and for a furnished lease at two months. The Toulouse adverts list agency fees of about €420 to €590 on top, and a landlord may accept a foreign tax notice where your income was not taxed in France. [C10] [C11] [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5]
- Tisséo's annual pass in Toulouse, paid monthly, costs €52.10 a month for the network, or €61.60 with the airport shuttle. A 7-day pass costs €17.90. Fares in other cities are unknown here. [C12]
- One gas-heated Toulouse flat's advert estimates energy at €1,220 to €1,700 a year at 2021 prices, so treat it as a dated estimate for one flat, not a French average. Check the energy rating of any home you consider. [C4]
- The World Health Organization's universal health coverage service coverage index for France is 82 out of 100 (2023). Without work, public cover (PUMa) opens 3 months after you arrive. A 2026 law adds a contribution for some members without work; the amount awaits a decree. [C13] [C14]
The Fernshore Index
How the Index grades the cost of living.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
31 of 100Weak
Price level 0.766 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), France. Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
More on France.
Topics
More about France.
Questions about Cost of living in France.
How much does it cost to live in France?
Prices overall are about 0.77 of United States prices (World Bank, 2025), an average rather than a budget. Four Toulouse one-bedroom or studio adverts seen on 10 October 2026 asked €602 to €756 a month including charges. We found no dated figures for groceries, internet or insurance, so they are unknown.
How do rents compare between French cities?
The government's 2025 indicator puts asking rents for small unfurnished flats at about €14.49 per m² in Clermont-Ferrand, €16.33 in Toulouse, €17.93 in Montpellier, €18.54 in Bordeaux and €18.87 to €20.31 in central Lyon, charges included. It is a modelled average, not a quote for one home.
What upfront costs should I expect when renting in France?
The deposit is capped at one month's rent before charges for an unfurnished lease and two months for a furnished one. Toulouse adverts seen on 10 October 2026 listed agency fees of about €420 to €590 on top. A landlord may accept a foreign tax notice where income was not taxed in France.
How much does public transport cost in France?
Only Toulouse is priced here. Tisséo's annual pass paid monthly costs €52.10 a month for the network, or €61.60 with the airport shuttle; a 7-day pass costs €17.90. Other cities' fares are unknown here.
Is healthcare in France good, and what does it cost?
The WHO service coverage index for France is 82 out of 100 (2023). Without work, public cover (PUMa) opens 3 months after you arrive. A 2026 law adds a contribution for some members without work, with the amount awaiting a decree. We found no dated private insurance prices, so that cost is unknown.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [FR C1] Price level index (GDP), France, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 76.57 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [Cost of living C1] Price level index (GDP), France, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [C2] One-bedroom flat, chemin des Izards (Croix Bénite), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C3] Studio flat with parking (Saint-Michel), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C4] One-bedroom flat, allée de Barcelone (Compans-Caffarelli), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C5] One-bedroom flat near Esquirol metro (Capitole), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C6] Carte des loyers 2025: asking-rent indicators by commune, Ministère de la Transition écologique (data.gouv.fr). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C7] Lyon and Villeurbanne: rent control, Service-Public.fr (French government information service). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C8] One-bedroom flat, cours Charlemagne (Lyon 2e, Perrache – Confluence), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C9] One-bedroom flat (Jaude – Saint-Alyre), Bien'ici (private property portal). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C10] Security deposit in a residential lease, Service-Public.fr (French government information service). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C11] Future tenant: documents a landlord may ask for, Service-Public.fr (French government information service). Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C12] Regular-travel passes, Tisséo (Toulouse public transport operator), online shop. Checked 10 October 2026.
- [C13] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [C14] Universal health protection (PUMa), Service-Public.fr (French government information service). Checked 15 October 2026.