If you’re planning a move to France in 2026, or already living here and reassessing your budget, the cost of living question comes up fast. France remains one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for expats, but daily costs, housing pressure, and inflation all shape how comfortable life will feel once you arrive.
This article breaks down the real cost of living in France in 2026, with a focus on what matters most to international movers: income levels, housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and realistic monthly budgets.
Table of Contents
Big picture: Inflation and economic context in 2026
France enters 2026 with moderate inflation and modest growth.
- Forecast inflation for 2026: ~1.3%, slightly higher than 2025 (1.0%)
- GDP growth remains positive but limited, keeping pressure on wages and public finances
For expats, this means prices continue to rise gently rather than sharply. Day-to-day living is more predictable than during the high-inflation years, but costs are still higher than they were pre-2020.
> People who read this article also read: Is France a good place to live?
Salaries and income in France
The SMIC (French minimum wage) in 2026
The SMIC is revalued on 1 January 2026 by +1.18%, bringing it to:
- 1,823.03 € gross per month
- Increase of roughly 21.23 € gross per month for full-time workers
This adjustment reflects inflation and wage trends, but it remains modest. For expats, it’s important to note that many jobs, especially outside Paris, are still paid close to the SMIC.
Retirement pensions in 2026
- Base pensions are revalued by +0.9% in January 2026
- A retiree receiving 1,500 €/month sees an increase of about 13.50 €/month
Politically, the retirement system remains tense. The controversial reform raising the legal retirement age has been temporarily suspended, freezing the current framework until at least 2028. This provides short-term stability for retirees already in France.
Housing in France: The biggest cost factor
Housing remains by far the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences in France. Two households with the same income can experience completely different lifestyles depending on where they live.
In 2026, the gap between high-demand cities and more affordable regions remains wide and for expats, availability often matters as much as price.
Buying property in France (2026)
Across the whole country, the average property price sits around:
- 3,141 € per m² (national average)
But this figure hides huge contrasts:
- Paris and close suburbs regularly exceed 9,000–12,000 €/m²
- Major regional cities often sit between 3,500 and 6,000 €/m²
- Smaller cities and secondary markets can still be found below 2,500 €/m²
For buyers, this means France is not “expensive” or “cheap” in general, it is hyper-local. Two cities an hour apart can have radically different entry prices.
Renting in France (2026)
- Average rent (France): ~14 € per m²
- Large cities and coastal hotspots are well above this
- Medium-sized cities and inland areas remain far more accessible
For expats, renting comes with an extra challenge: 👉 competition and selection criteria, not just price.
In many cities and tourist regions, long-term rentals are scarce, landlords are cautious, and applications without French income are often filtered out early. This is why many expats find that securing a rental is harder than expected, even when the rent itself looks reasonable on paper.
Average property prices per m² in major French cities (2026)
Indicative averages – prices vary by neighbourhood, condition, and exact location.
| City | Houses (€/m²) | Apartments (€/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 10,151 | 9,718 |
| Marseille | 4,835 | 3,569 |
| Lyon | 6,040 | 4,577 |
| Toulouse | 4,273 | 3,533 |
| Nice | 6,220 | 5,331 |
| Bordeaux | 5,096 | 4,445 |
| Nantes | 4,164 | 3,384 |
| Strasbourg | 3,522 | 3,756 |
| Montpellier | 4,361 | 3,425 |
| Rennes | 5,009 | 3,875 |
| Lille | 3,396 | 3,353 |
| Toulon | 4,346 | 3,310 |
| Grenoble | 3,925 | 2,606 |
| Reims | 3,121 | 2,572 |
| Le Havre | 2,372 | 1,871 |
| Saint Étienne | 2,081 | 1,258 |
| Limoges | 1,969 | 1,584 |
| Clermond-Ferrand | 2,662 | 2,120 |
| Angers | 3,465 | 3,250 |
| Dijon | 3,187 | 2,666 |
| La Rochelle | 4,952 | 4,410 |
| Annecy | 7,423 | 5,922 |
| Aix en Provence | 6,353 | 5,254 |
| Cannes | 7,425 | 6,206 |
What this means for expats
- Paris and inner suburbs demand serious compromises on space or budget
- Regional capitals offer the best balance for many expats: amenities without Paris pricing
- Secondary cities remain the best value if you are flexible on location
- Renting first is still sensible, but expect competition, paperwork, and delays
Utilities in France: Electricity, water, internet
Electricity costs in France in 2026
Electricity bills vary widely based on housing size, insulation, and heating type.
Typical monthly electricity costs:
- 1 person (studio): 40–50 €
- 2 people (50–70 m²): 60–80 €
- Larger homes (100 m²+): 100–270 €+ (especially with electric heating)
Key factors influencing cost:
- Size and insulation quality
- Electric vs gas heating
- Meter power (kVA)
- Supplier and tariff
Indicative regulated tariff (January 2026):
- 6 kVA subscription: ~15.47 €/month
- kWh price: ~0.1952 €
Water costs in France in 2026
- Average household water bill: 43–45 €/month
- Based on ~120 m³/year at 4.30–4.50 €/m³
- Local variation can be significant
Internet and mobile costs in France in 2026
France remains one of Europe’s most competitive markets:
- Combined internet + mobile: 40–60 €/month
- Entry-level fibre boxes: 20–25 €
- Mobile plans: from 8–12 €
Low-cost operators keep prices down, even for high-speed fibre.
Groceries and food costs
Food remains relatively affordable compared to many countries, especially if you shop like a local.
- Groceries per person: 200–300 €/month
- Tight budgets possible around 150 €
- Higher spending if eating out regularly
Markets, discount supermarkets, and seasonal shopping keep costs manageable. Restaurants and cafés add up quickly but are optional rather than essential.
Healthcare costs: Mutuelle (top-up insurance)
France’s public healthcare system is strong, but most residents also take a mutuelle (top-up insurance).
Average monthly mutuelle costs
- Single adult: 70–100 €
- Families: 130–200 €+
- Seniors: can reach 200–250 €+
Costs depend heavily on age, coverage level, and region. This is an essential line item for expats budgeting long-term.
Everyday and miscellaneous costs in France (2026)
Beyond rent, utilities, and groceries, it’s the small daily expenses that really define how life in France feels, especially for newcomers comparing it to the US, Canada or UK. One of France’s strengths is that many everyday pleasures remain relatively affordable.
Coffee, bread, and daily staples
- Espresso at a café: 1.50–2.50 €
- Baguette tradition: 1.00–1.20 € (Regulated pricing helps keep this staple affordable nationwide.)
- Croissant or pain au chocolat: 1.10–1.40 €
Groceries and household basics
- 12 eggs: 3.50–5.00 € (Free-range and organic options cost more.)
- 1 litre of milk: 1.10–1.40 €
- Local cheese (per 250g): 3.50–6.00 €
- Fresh seasonal fruit & vegetables: often 2–4 € per kilo for staples
Wine, beer, and alcohol
France’s reputation for affordable wine is well deserved:
- Bottle of French rosé (supermarket): 3.50–7.00 €
- Bottle of French red or white wine: 4.00–10.00 € (Excellent everyday wines are widely available under 6 €.)
- Pint of beer in a bar: 6.00–8.00 € (More in Paris; less in smaller cities.)
- Beer in a supermarket (33cl): 1.00–2.00 €
Eating out
- Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant: 25–35 € per person
- Plat du jour (weekday lunch menu): 14–18 €
- Fast casual lunch (sandwich, salad): 8–12 €
Eating out in France remains relatively good value compared to many Anglo-Saxon countries, particularly at lunchtime.
Transport and everyday services
- Metro or bus ticket (single): 1.70–2.10 € (city-dependent)
- Monthly transport pass: 35–75 € (outside Paris)
- Cinema ticket: 10–14 €
- Haircut (women): 45–80 €
- Haircut (men): 20–35 €
What does it cost to live in France in 2026?
Monthly budget estimates
Single person:
- Tight budget: 1,600 €
- Comfortable lifestyle: 1,900–2,200 €
- Paris often higher
Family of four:
- Around 4,600 €/month, including housing
- Highly dependent on region and rent
Key cost drivers
- Location (Paris vs province)
- Housing type
- Transport choices
- Healthcare coverage level
- Lifestyle (restaurants, travel, schooling)
Is France still affordable for expats?
For many expats, yes, but location and planning matter more than ever.
France offers:
- Strong public services
- Reliable healthcare
- Competitive utilities and internet
- Reasonable food costs
The pressure points remain housing availability, local wages, and administrative complexity rather than pure price inflation.
*We used Numbeo and SeLoger for the cost of living and property prices comparison.
Updated: January 2026
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