The Cost of Living in France
The average cost of living in France largely depends on your lifestyle and location. Generally, living in major cities like Paris, Marseille, or Lyon will be more expensive than living in the countryside or suburban areas. Still, it is considered cheaper to live in France compared to the USA.
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In this Pacific Prime article, we break down the cost of living in France, from housing, food, and transportation to utilities, education, and healthcare. We’ll also explain why having international health insurance in France is essential for expats looking to protect both their health and finances.
Housing Costs in France: Renting and Buying as an Expat
While Paris remains one of the most expensive cities in the world, ranking 6th in a recent global survey, the rest of the country is much more affordable than many expats think. Housing prices in France are on average 34% cheaper than in the United States.
For instance, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Paris averages around €1,392 ($1,528) per month. In comparison, the same apartment in Strasbourg costs approximately €795 ($872), while in Pau, a small city in southwestern France, it’s just €579 ($635).
Housing costs are typically highest in Paris and the French Riviera, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. For expats interested in buying property, there are plenty of more budget-friendly options outside the southern coastal regions.
In the Marseille/Aix-en-Provence area, the median home price is around €400,000 ($439,138), while in Cotignac, a popular expat village just 45 minutes from the coast, two-bedroom village homes can start at only €190,000 ($208,590).
Of course, the trade-off is location and lifestyle, but there is still plenty to do and see in places a bit far away from the city. A lot of the time, you gain back in space, quiet, and a slower pace what you give up living in the big city.
Utility Costs in France
Utility costs are fairly consistent across France, though older buildings, especially in Paris, often suffer from poor insulation, which can lead to higher heating bills during the winter months. If you live alone, electricity and heating cost about €100 a month.
Electricité de France (EDF) is the country’s primary electricity provider and is majority-owned by the state, helping to keep prices relatively affordable. You’ll need to set up electricity and gas services directly with EDF, as landlords usually do not handle this for tenants.
Once you have a French mobile number, you can contact EDF by dialing 3004. Be sure to have your new address ready when you call to streamline the setup process.
Internet service in France typically costs between €30 and €40 per month. Monthly mobile phone costs range from €15 to €25, depending on your preferences.
Groceries & Food Costs in France
Monthly grocery expenses in France typically range from €150 to €250, depending on your location and shopping habits. Food is relatively affordable—especially if you cook at home and shop at supermarket chains like Carrefour, Monoprix, and Lidl, which offer a wide range of budget-friendly options.
Groceries in Paris tend to be slightly pricier than in smaller towns, though not by much. For instance, a kilo of tomatoes might cost €3.50 in Paris, compared to €2.50 at a local market in Bordeaux. Smaller towns often benefit from access to local produce without the capital city markup.
Coffee prices, however, show a more noticeable contrast. In Paris, a single cup can cost anywhere from €4.50 to €6, while in smaller cities or villages, you’ll likely pay between €2.50 and €3.50.
The same trend applies to dining out and entertainment—meals at budget restaurants may cost €15–€20, while more upscale options range from €25 to €40 or more. Smaller towns generally offer more affordable menus and lower overall costs for eating out.
Transportation Costs in France: Navigating the L’Hexagone
In most major French cities, you’ll quickly find that having a car isn’t necessary. Relying on public transportation like buses, trains, and trams in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and other cities is not only efficient but also a great way to save money.
Ticket prices vary by city. In Paris, the Passe Navigo is a popular option that offers unlimited travel in selected zones. It covers metro, RER, bus, tram, and train in the Île-de-France region (except Orlyval). The all-zones pass costs €31.60/week or €88.80/month.
In other cities like Lyon, Rennes, or Bordeaux, public transport is even more affordable, costing between €40–€65 for a monthly pass. With senior discounts, it even gets cheaper at €6.90, which gets you 10 rides on buses, trams, or even boat shuttles in coastal areas.
Getting Around in Paris
Paris offers one of Europe’s most iconic and efficient transport systems. The Paris Métro, short for Métropolitain, is a modern, well-connected, and relatively affordable choice of public transport.
Getting around the French capital is easy with multiple options:
- Metro: With 14 lines covering the entire city, the Paris metro is fast, frequent, and cost-effective, ideal for daily commutes and quick trips.
- Bus & Tram: While generally slower than the metro, buses and trams reach neighborhoods and areas not served by underground lines.
- RER Trains: The RER (Réseau Express Régional) connects central Paris to the outer suburbs, airports, and regional hubs, making it great for longer distances.
- Cycling: Paris has embraced cycling, with expanding bike lanes and the popular Vélib bike-sharing system, perfect for short rides across the city.
- Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Taxis and VTC (Vehicule de Tourisme, or passenger vehicle) services like Uber are also readily available, which can be a nice option when public options aren’t ideal.
Whether you prefer underground speed or enjoying the city’s scenery on two wheels, Paris makes getting around easy and accessible for locals and expats alike.
Renting a Car in France
If you’re living in rural areas, you’ll probably need a car to get around, which can get expensive. Renting a car on average costs about €50/day. Gas is around €2 per liter, and don’t forget you have to pay for car insurance as well.
Entertainment and Leisure: Enjoying the French Life
Life in France is all about savoring the small pleasures. From wandering through museums to sipping a coffee at a street-side café, entertainment is an essential part of French living.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for common leisure activities:
- Gym membership: ~€35/month
- Movie ticket: ~€13
- Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: ~€40
- Cappuccino at a café: €4–€6
And of course, living in Paris means you’re in close proximity to world-famous museums such as the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and countless masterpieces, or the Musée d’Orsay, which houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist art, featuring works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and more.
Museums like Musée de la Vie Romantique and the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris offer no admission charge year-round for permanent collections. In fact, all 11 City of Paris museums follow this model.
Many of France’s most iconic institutions, including the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée national d’art moderne – Centre Pompidou, also waive entrance fees on the first Sunday of each month.
Better still, people under the age of 26 get free entry to major museums like the Louvre (for residents of countries in the European Economic Area), the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie.
Whether you’re a culture enthusiast or simply appreciate French aesthetics, this country offers endless ways to enjoy your time without breaking the bank.
Education Costs in France
Education in France is compulsory for children aged 3 to 16 and is structured into four main stages:
- Preschool (école maternelle): Ages 3–6
- Primary school (école élémentaire): Ages 6–11
- Middle school (collège): Ages 11–15
- High school (lycée): Ages 15–18
French public schools (écoles publiques) are free, coeducational, and secular. Despite the availability of private options, about 80% of students in France attend public schools due to the generally high quality of education.
Secondary education in public schools follows the same principle: tuition is free, with only minor additional costs for school-related activities or materials.
Higher education is also highly subsidized by the French government. Public universities offer excellent value, especially for EU/EEA/Swiss students, who pay just €175 per year for undergraduate (Licence) programs.
Long-term residents (over two years in France) are often eligible for similar subsidized rates. Even non-EU students benefit from government support, paying €2,850 per year for undergraduate studies and €3,879 per year for Master’s programs, with the state covering around two-thirds of the total cost.
The Cost of Healthcare in France
France operates a universal healthcare system that integrates both public and private providers. Administered by the government and primarily funded through payroll contributions, the system covers approximately 70% of medical expenses.
The remaining costs are typically paid by the patient through co-payments or covered by supplemental health insurance, known as a “mutuelle.”
A “mutuelle” is a non-profit or private insurance plan that helps cover the portion of healthcare costs not reimbursed by the state. For example, if a general practitioner visit costs €30, the state typically reimburses around €21, and the mutuelle can cover the remaining €9.
This setup is common for services like specialist consultations, hospital stays, prescription medications, and dental care.
For expats living in France long-term or on certain visas, enrolling in the Public Health Insurance System (Protection Universelle Maladie – PUMA) is possible. However, many choose to supplement it with a private international insurance policy or local mutuelle to ensure more comprehensive coverage.
Note: To enroll in the French healthcare system as an expat, France must be your primary residence for at least six months of the year or 183 consecutive days. You can apply for healthcare after three months of living in the country.
Cost of General Doctor Consultations in France
As of December 2024, the standard fee for a general practitioner (GP) consultation in France is set at €30. The price remains considerably more affordable than in countries like the United States, where a single GP visit typically ranges from $80 to $170 without insurance.
Cost of Specialist Consultations in France
Specialist consultation rates in France are scheduled to increase in two phases: first in December 2024 and again in July 2025. Below are the updated fees based on consultation type:
| Type of Consultation | Rates (December 2024) | Rates (July 2025) |
| Pediatrician | €39 | €40 |
| Psychiatrist/Neuropsychiatrist/Neurologist | €55 | €57 |
| Child Psychiatrist | €75 | €75 |
| Gynecologist | €37 | €40 |
| Geriatrician | €37 | €42 |
| Dermatologist (Melanoma Screening) | €54 | €60 |
Despite the scheduled increases, these consultation fees remain lower than the average cost of similar specialist visits in the U.S., where out-of-pocket expenses often range from $100 to $200 or more, depending on the provider and location.
Cost of Health Checkups and Common Diagnostic Tests
Health checkups in France are free and provided by the government. It is called Examen de prévention en santé (EPS) or Health Prevention Review for all citizens over the age of 16
However, to benefit from this, you have to be a legal resident, which expats can become after three months of residency or sooner if they’re working and paying social security.
Cost of Inpatient Rooms in France
In public hospitals or state-registered private clinics (clinique privée conventionnée), fees for a hospital stay include several elements:
- Forfait hospitalier: this is a daily €20 charge towards accommodation, meals, and laundry. The state does not reimburse this fee, although most mutuelles do.
- Frais d’hospitalisation: this is a bill for the costs of medical staff, medicine, and equipment. They vary by hospital and department, and can cost up to €3,000 per day in intensive care.
These fees are reimbursed by the state at 80%, with the remainder usually, but not always, covered by mutuelle payments.
Cost of Common Surgeries in France
The costs of common surgeries in France will depend on the procedure and the hospital or clinic you select. Generally, they are still lower than in the United States.
For example, cataract surgery (eye surgery) costs around €400 for one eye if you are registered in the national social security system. However, the cost can rise to €3,000 if you are uninsured and receive treatment in private medical facilities.
Cost of Medication in France
France has an extensive network of over 20,000 pharmacies, making access to prescribed medication very convenient. After receiving a prescription from a doctor, patients are generally required to pay a portion of the cost at the pharmacy.
The amount reimbursed by the public healthcare system (Assurance Maladie) varies depending on how essential the medication is, and can be 15%, 30%, 65%, or 100% of the total cost. These rates are based on the medication’s necessity value, from minor to irreplaceable.
As of March 2024, the franchise médicale—a non-reimbursable, fixed contribution per medication—doubled from €0.50 to €1 per box or treatment. This fee only applies to prescription medications for individuals aged 18 and over. It does not apply to over-the-counter medications.
Only generic drugs are reimbursed by the public health system, unless no generic version exists. If a branded drug is available in generic form and the patient chooses the branded option, the medication may not be eligible for reimbursement unless the doctor has marked it as “non-substitutable.”
Prices for over-the-counter medicines can vary widely, as pharmacies are free to set their own pricing. OTC medications are not reimbursed by the public health system, and most mutuelles (supplementary health insurers) do not cover them either, meaning the full cost must be paid out-of-pocket.
Cost of Dental Care in France
Dental care in France is partially subsidized by the government. Most dentists in France operate within the public healthcare system, and residents with French social security can access subsidized care using their Carte Vitale.
In principle, the state covers 70% of the cost for most dental treatments, with the remaining 30% typically covered by supplementary insurance (mutuelle). However, many dentists charge fees above the official rates set by the government, which can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
The government sets standard tariffs for basic dental treatments such as checkups, cleanings, and fillings. Patients pay the dentist directly, and 70% of the official rate is reimbursed by the state. Your mutuellle insurance may cover the remaining amount, depending on your plan.
For more complex procedures or when visiting a private dentist, the costs can rise significantly. Private practitioners are not bound by the state’s pricing, and refunds from social security are limited. In such cases, a comprehensive dental insurance plan is essential to minimize personal expenses.
Cost of Accident Treatments in France
An emergency room visit in France, without hospitalization, typically costs around €100. If you hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you’ll be reimbursed for emergency treatments under the same terms as French citizens, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
For travelers or residents from non-EU countries, treatment costs must be paid upfront at either public or private healthcare facilities. These patients are charged private rates and must seek reimbursement later through their home country’s health insurance or international health insurance policy.
If you have an emergency or an accident in France, here are some of the numbers to call:
| Emergency Service | Number to Call |
| European emergency services | 112 |
| SAMU
(medical emergencies) |
15 |
| Police | 17 |
| Fire Brigade
(also paramedics) |
18 |
| Emergency number for deaf and hard-of-hearing people | 114 |
| Missing children | 116000 |
Bottom Line for the Cost of Healthcare in France
If you are coming from the United States, you’ll find that the cost of living in Europe, especially healthcare, will be much more affordable compared to your home.
Still, if you’re not covered by either the Public Health Insurance System (PUMA), the French Social Security, or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you’ll need to pay for your own medical expenses.
In this case, it is highly advisable to consider a private health insurance plan to protect yourself against any unexpected medical or repatriation costs.
Find the Right Coverage in France with Pacific Prime
Moving to France means you can access a world-class public healthcare system, a high quality of life, and a rich cultural experience you can endlessly submerge yourself in. Still, for newcomers who are not yet enrolled in the French healthcare system, unexpected medical expenses can arise.
This is why securing comprehensive international health insurance is essential for expats in France. A well-rounded policy provides peace of mind and ensures access to top-tier private medical facilities—without the stress of out-of-pocket costs.
With over 25 years of experience assisting expats in finding insurance plans tailored to their needs and budgets, Pacific Prime is here to help make your move to France smooth and secure.
Contact us today for a FREE quote and personalized plan comparison, and take the first step towards your new life in France!
If la vie française is not for you, explore our guides on the cost of living in Spain and the cost of living in Italy to help decide where your next home should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in France?
As of 2024, the average gross annual salary in France is €39,800, which amounts to approximately €3,316 per month, according to INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).
Is English widely spoken in France?
French is the official language, and English is not spoken as widely as in some other European countries. In major cities and tourist areas like Paris, you’ll find more service workers who can speak English. However, in smaller towns and rural areas, English may be less commonly understood.
Do you have to tip at a French restaurant?
Tipping is not mandatory in France. Most restaurants include a service charge in the bill, indicated by the phrase “service compris”. It’s optional to leave a small tip for exceptional service.
With his keen interest in journalism, especially in the healthcare and wellness field, Tawan joins Pacific Prime with the goal of creating content that simplifies health insurance solutions, helping people make informed choices and choose the best options for their needs. Tawan firmly believes that words have power that can shape the world for the better.
In his free time, Tawan loves to pick up his Nintendo Switch and wield his Master Sword in Hyrule’s dungeons. He is also an avid sci-fi books/shows enjoyer. You can spot him hanging around bookstores and game shops all day long!
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