Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in France
Thinking of moving across the Channel to France? France has lots to offer newcomers, including some of the best cuisine and wine in the world. It also has beautiful countryside, alpine scenery and the breathtaking French Riviera, along with first-class culture, fashion and entertainment.
While a move to France sounds exciting there are a lot of factors to consider, the first being how is money being managed? Well fortunately for you, Wise* has you covered. Wise allows you to make international money transfers at the mid-market exchange rate¹⁴.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
As for the other most important thing, i.e., learning French – we can only wish you the very best. In this article we breakdown the cost of living in France to help you prepare for a move to a country that wines and dines like no other.
*Wise Europe is not a bank. Wise Europe is an authorised Payment Institution incorporated as an SA in Belgium, supervised by the National Bank of Belgium.
How expensive is France in comparison to South Africa
The cost of living in France is higher than in neighbouring western European countries; however, Paris is one of the main reasons for this. The rest of the country, particularly the countryside and the south of France, has a lower cost of living. When compared to South Africa, the cost of living in France is approximately a staggering 88.6% higher. This, however, includes a series of factors which we breakdown as we help you prepare for your French sojourn.
The currency in France
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency of the country and the entire European Union. This ensures hassle free travel between member states as you don’t need to exchange currencies for the trip. The Euro is one of the most powerful currencies in the world and is valued significantly higher than the Rand. You can check the latest Euro to Rand rate here using our free online currency converter.
Sending money from France to South Africa can be tricky business with varying exchange rates between banks and other forex agencies. So how do you ensure you get the best possible exchange rate?
Send money from France to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate with Wise
If you’re a South African expat living in France, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.
Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from France to South Africa.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Cost of living in France vs. South Africa
France, the land where each corner whispers tales of leisure, high fashion, gastronomic delights, and vistas that stretch from the rugged shores of Normandy to the golden beaches of the Cote d’Azur. Amidst such splendour and cultural finesse exported worldwide, it's easy to conjure an image of France as an exclusive sanctuary reserved for the elite few. This is true if you want an apartment facing the Eiffel Tower but can be avoided if you simply choose to live outside of Paris’s city centre or in another city. Consumer prices are 89.3% higher in France when compared to South Africa. Rents on the other hand are 86.4% higher. Paris is currently the 35th most expensive city to live in the world. But France is home to many other exciting locations that are attractive options for South Africans. We discuss the major expenses in Paris, Nice, and Lyon in the following sections.
Rental costs in France
Housing prices vary greatly throughout France and some very interesting deals are to be made in areas that combine attractive climates, established expat communities, and a wealth of social and cultural activities for active retirees.
The average rent for a one-bedroom in Paris is €1392 ($1528), the same can be found in Strasbourg for €795 ($872), and for just €579 ($635) in southwestern France. Paris and the French Riviera are the highest priced housing markets in France, although you can still find lower budget options away from the seacoast in the southern countryside.
The tables below breakdown rents for a single person and a family in the city centre and outside it.
Average monthly rent in Paris
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Paris |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,350.07 € (26,908.39 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 986.49 € (19,661.74 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 3,119.44 € (62,173.91 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 2,281.73 € (45,477.36 R) |
Average monthly rent in Nice
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Nice |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 925.00 € (18,436.25 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 754.17 € (15,031.36 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,925.00 € (38,367.33 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 1,725.00 € (34,381.12 R) |
Average monthly rent in Lyon
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Lyon |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 909.08 € (18,119.02 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 568.67 € (11,334.14 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 1,642.50 € (32,736.80 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 1,105.56 € (22,034.92 R) |
Cost of groceries in France
All the major supermarkets-Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, E. Leclerc, and Intermarché-offer programs where shoppers can receive weekly discounts and cashback incentives that run throughout the year. You can also shop at Lidl and Aldi if you’re looking to cut down on your grocery bill! We breakdown costs of daily goods in major French cities in the tables below:
Average grocery costs in Paris
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Paris |
|---|---|
| Bread | 1.62 € (32.30 R) |
| Milk | 5.41 € (107.80 R) |
| Eggs | 4.34 € (86.58 R) |
| Cheese | 9.77 € (194.65 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 6.51 € (129.68 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 8.00 € (159.45 R) |
Average grocery costs in Nice
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Nice |
|---|---|
| Bread | 1.52 € (30.32 R) |
| Milk | 4.85 € (96.71 R) |
| Eggs | 3.70 € (73.71 R) |
| Cheese | 9.53 € (189.85 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 4.53 € (90.36 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 7.50 € (149.48 R) |
Average grocery costs in Lyon
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Lyon |
|---|---|
| Bread | 2.18 € (43.51 R) |
| Milk | 4.58 € (91.23 R) |
| Eggs | 3.84 € (76.56 R) |
| Cheese | 8.85 € (176.29 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 6.05 € (120.54 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 7.00 € (139.52 R) |
Transport costs in France
Many expats who move to France prefer to leave their cars at home, which is an excellent idea in larger cities – and in many smaller towns. The country has an excellent and affordable public transport system that spans cities and towns alike. Buses, trams, trains, and even the metro make transport in cities a breeze for newcomers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Paris | 2.15 € (42.85 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Paris | 85.00 € (1,694.14 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Nice | 1.70 € (33.88 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Nice | 45.00 € (896.90 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Lyon | 2.00 € (39.86 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Lyon | 69.40 € (1,383.22 R) |
Eating out in France
For dining out, only those seeking Michelin-star experiences will see a significant hit to their pockets. French restaurants offer quality meals at affordable prices. Known for their cuisine, establishments in the country work hard to give customers the best meals at reasonable prices… or risk seeing their clientele move to the next quality bistro down the street.
Average meal costs in Paris
| Category | Paris |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 18.00 € (358.76 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 75.00 € (1,494.83 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 12.00 € (239.17 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 4.20 € (83.66 R) |
Average meal costs in Nice
| Category | Nice |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 20.00 € (398.62 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 70.00 € (1,395.18 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 10.00 € (199.31 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 3.04 € (60.68 R) |
Average meal costs in Lyon
| Category | Lyon |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 15.00 € (298.97 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 60.00 € (1,195.86 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 11.00 € (219.24 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 3.19 € (63.57 R) |
Study costs in France
Home to renowned institutions like PSL Research University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, studying in the country is overall quite affordable.
As an international undergraduate student you should expect to pay around €2,770 Euros per year, while €3,770 is the average for postgraduate study. PhD can expect to pay a fee of €380 Euros per year.
Universities in France are known to levy administration charges, which causes some elevation in the price – however, the figure is far lower than in other countries such as the UK. To study at one of France’s highly selective private grandes écoles or grands établissments, you could pay between €500-€600 per year, however some charge up to €10,000 (£8,864) per year.
What is the average salary in France?
Employees in the private sector make an average of €2,375 per month, the public sector pays slightly less: around €2,238. A standard workday usually spans from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM adding up to a 35-hour work week. Yes, you read that right! People in France prioritise their work-life balance, making sure they actually enjoy the money they make.
Take a look at what you can expect to make in different professions in the following table:
Average salary in France (monthly)
| Designation | Average salary in France |
|---|---|
| Accountant | €3800 |
| Financial Analyst | €5500 |
| Project Manager | €4000 |
| Graphic Designer | €5600 |
| Business Analyst | €4520 |
| Sales Manager | €4591 |
| Architect | €6300 |
| Pharmacist | €3400 |
| Attorney | €5258 |
What about healthcare costs in France?
As a visiting tourist you would pay €25 to see a GP and around €50 for a specialist appointment when on vacation in France15. You can enrol after three months of living in the country, and France must be your primary residence for six months of the year.
Once enrolled in healthcare after the three months entry point, a visit to the doctor would cost you around €7.5 , as 70% of doctor’s visits are reimbursed directly to your bank account15. With the 70% off, an appointment with a specialist would be about €1515. For hospital stays, you’ll be reimbursed 80% for treatment the first month and 100% for each month thereafter. All surgical expenses are reimbursed at 100%. There is a fee of €20 for bed occupancy15. You also have the option to go private, which will charge you more for treatment. Prescription drugs, also very low-priced, are covered up to 100%. Enrollees pay a low yearly fee based on the income they can declare to the French government.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Living in France offers a delightful blend of professional dedication and a zest for life. From the cherished long lunches to the celebrated RTT days and the joyful August vacations, French culture showcases the perfect harmony between work and leisure. Embrace the "joie de vivre" and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, while making the most of your working days.
One smart way to avoid paying excess bank fees for international money transfers is to use a Wise multi-currency account to send, spend, and receive money internationally4.
Sources:
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Cost of living in South Africa vs France
- Mercer’s cost of living index
- Rents in France
- Cost of living in Paris
- Cost of living in Nice
- Cost of living in Lyon
- Studying in France
- Average pay in France
- Working in France
- Salaries in France
- Healthcare in France
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
