France is a country renowned for its culture, art, fine food, rich history and serene landscape. It’ll come as no surprise that British expats have long been in love with France, and see the move across the Channel as a rite of passage in retirement. 

The cost of living in France is seen by many as similar to the UK, while the capital city of Paris is regarded as substantially more expensive, as is the case with London and the rest of England. Paris ranks 47^th out of 209 of the world’s most expensive cities, while second cities such as Bordeaux and Nice are considered more affordable options.

The currency used in France is the euro, with 1 British pound equalling approximately 1.17 euros (as of 19^th December 2019). As a result, you’ll need to monitor the EUR to GBP rate and convert prices you see into British pounds to compare their value with UK living.

 (All figures taken from Numbeo.com and exchange rates calculated on 19^th December 2019 at 14:32pm).

 

How much does accommodation cost in France?

As with the UK, the cost of rent and property prices within France can vary greatly depending on the area. Property in Paris is typically regarded as the most expensive, while coastal properties and more affluent areas of the countryside can also command hefty fees. Smaller cities such as Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon can be more affordable, however it ultimately depends on your budget and the type of property you are looking for. Read our full guide for more info on buying property in France. 

Below is a table of the average property prices in several French cities. 

 

Paris

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1009 (€1,184)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£834.70 (€834.70)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£2,200 (€2,582)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£1,442 (€1,692)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£9,520 (€11,169)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£7,007 (€8,219)

 

Bordeaux

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£521.90 (€612.13)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£414.16 (€485.77)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,077 (€1,264)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£814.70 (€955.56)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£4,405 (€5,167)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£3,325 (€3,900)

 

Nice

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£658.71 (€772.65)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£513.41 (€602.11)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,281 (€1,503)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£976.72 (€1,145)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£4,491 (€5,267)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£3,342 (€3,920)

 

Cost of transport in France

Transport in France is similarly priced as in the UK. This means you won’t be too surprised with the cost of petrol or car prices. In addition, if you are moving to France and bringing a car over from the UK, you can driver it over via the Channel Tunnel or ferry.

Public transport is more affordable, with rail and bus popular options both on a regional and national scale, however your options may be more limited in the countryside.

Single bus ticket	£1.36 (€1.60)
Monthly public transport ticket	£43.48 (€51.00)
Petrol (1 litre)	£1.26 (€1.48)
Volkswagen Golf	£17,605 (€20,650)
Toyota Corolla	£18,924 (€22,197)

 

What is the cost of living in France?

The cost of amenities, utilities and other miscellaneous in France is not too dissimilar to the UK, with some goods considered more expensive and some more affordable. Below is a table of prices you can expect to encounter in France.

Milk (1 litre)	£0.84 (€0.98)
Bread (500g loaf)	£1.11 (€1.30)
Eggs (12pk)	£2.36 (€2.77)
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£0.55 (€0.64)
Chicken Breast (1kg)	£9.08 (€10.65)
Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant)	£2.26 (€2.65)
Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub)	£5.12 (€6.00)
Cinema ticket	£8.53 (€10.00)
Gym membership (monthly)	£30.51 (€35.78)
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)	£550 (€644.87)
Primary School (yearly)	£8,891 (€10,427)

 

If you are moving to France, you'll want to get the most out of your money for any international payments you need to make. A moneycorp account offers access to great exchange rates, low transfer fees and expert guidance, helping your money to go further on your foreign currency exchange.