The cost of living will depend on two major factors. Your lifestyle and the area where you intend to settle. Paris is likely to burn a bigger hole in any budget.
If you feel that living in France, especially in the larger cities, is too expensive for you. Remember that the country also has one of the greatest standards of life in the world. Many OECD Better Life indicators place it highly.
Cost of living in France
According to Numbeo, a family of four needs roughly €3,000 per month. It excludes rent, whereas an individual needs about €800 per month, excluding rent.
French rental prices
If you choose the standard metropolitan flat, housing in France is notoriously pricey. The cost increases even further when you move from a one-bedroom apartment to 2bhk. Yet, residents can lower their cost of living in Paris by relocating to a less urban location. Like residing in the suburbs near Paris.
Expect to pay up to €1,800 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in central Paris. Or more than double that if you want two or three bedrooms. For a centrally located one-bedroom apartment, rates in Lyon range from €600 to €1,250 per month. Or from €1,250 to €3,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. One-bedroom flats in Marseille start at about €600 per month, and three-bedroom homes cost €1,125.
Real estate costs in France
Prices vary across the nation, just like they do with renting. For instance, real estate in the center of Paris often costs €13,000 per square meter. Whereas prices outside the center are closer to €9,000. This costs €5,100 in Lyon as opposed to €3400 per square meter. In Marseille, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs, on average, €3,200 per square meter. While one in the suburbs costs, on average, €1,000.
France’s domestic bill prices
French utility bills
Like the rest of Europe, basic utility bills in Paris average about €180 per month. This is for an 85-square-meter apartment. Here “basic utilities” refers to services like waste collection, heating, and water.
In relation to EU standards, France’s electricity prices are not excessive. Compared to the EU average of €0.22, the cost of power in France is approximately €0.13 per kWh.
French telecommunications
The price of internet in France is also low, with entry-level plans starting at about €20 to €30 per month. The annual television licensing fee of €138. It must also be taken into consideration if you own a television. Our guide to phone, internet and television in France has further information.
French food and beverage prices
The amount spent on groceries depends on a variety of things. The cost of living in France will go up if you buy at niche stores rather than larger chains. or you can go to French supermarkets.
The average monthly food budget in France including shopping and eating out is about €385. Here are some examples of what various types of cuisine may set you back in Paris:
- 500g of fresh white bread costs €2, and one liter of milk costs €1.10.
- Rice, 1 kg: €2.
- 12 eggs: €3.80
- €17.30 for 1 kilogram of cheese.
- Apples, 1 kg: €2.80
Don’t forget that outdoor markets are another place to find great deals.
The price of eating out in France
France is known for its excellent gastronomy. The variety of restaurants you may visit is incredible. And some of the top chefs in the world either hail from France. Or received their training there (not to mention the array of delicious food in France).
A three-course lunch for two at a reputable restaurant typically costs roughly €60. A McDonald’s lunch costs roughly €9 on the global scale.
French beer, wine, and spirits
Of course, France is most recognized for its wine when it comes to alcoholic beverages. You’ll pay between €5 and €15 for a bottle of mid-range wine at the grocery store.
Tips To Reduce your Expenses
-
Your weekly food costs will depend on whether you shop at an out-of-town supermarket chain. Or at a local grocer, which will be more expensive. Stores in most towns are small, quirky, and individual. If you want a baguette, you go to the boulangerie.
-
If you’re renting an apartment, you will have to pay for the maintenance of the building. The charge includes staircase cleaning, concierge charges, elevator repair, and water. The more luxurious the residence, the more you’ll pay. These charges are often included in the rental price as “charges comprise.” If it’s not, it’ll appear as a separate item as “charges.” The average cost in Paris for monthly maintenance charges is €25 ($29.75) per square meter per year (€2.32 [$2.76] per square foot).
Cost of Living in France: Sample Monthly Budget
To give you an idea of how much you might spend in a month, here are the costs of running an apartment for two people:
| EXPENSES | U.S. $ |
|---|---|
| Rent | $800 to $1,200 |
| Electricity | $48 |
| Groceries (incl. wine) | $600 |
| Landline rental fee (excluding call costs) | $21 |
| Gas for heating/stove | $59 |
| Internet | $32 |
| Transportation (car maintenance plus diesel/petrol) | $175 |
| Cellphone plan (excl. phone handset itself) | $20 |
| Regular purchases of coffee/croissants/baguettes | $80 |
| Ticket for the movies | $19 |
| Health insurance top-up (hospital-only plan) | $29 |
| Lunch for two with wine five times a month | $200 |
| Monthly Total | $2,083 to $2,483 |
source: internationalliving.com
Published By, Shubham Sharma
Leave a Reply