France🇫🇷
At a Glance
How France compares across key indices
Cost of Living
66 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
44/100
Healthcare
77/100
Quality of Life
177/200
Climate
89/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in France
Cost of Living
66
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
20
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
72
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
66
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Nantes
Cheapest$1,795/mo
Montpellier
$1,932/mo
Grenoble
$1,941/mo
Lille
$1,959/mo
Toulouse
$2,012/mo
Bordeaux
$2,042/mo
Marseille
$2,043/mo
Lyon
$2,140/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in France — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
44/100
Crime Index
56/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
73/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
27 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 5,793 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in France
France has 11 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,795 in Nantes to $2,826 in Paris. Strasbourg leads on safety, scoring 59/100. Toulouse ranks highest for quality of life at 182/200.
Nantes
$1,795/mo
Strasbourg
59/100
Toulouse
182/200
Toulouse
79/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantes | $1,795 | 41/100 | — | — | — |
| Montpellier | $1,932 | 40/100 | — | — | — |
| Grenoble | $1,941 | 37/100 | — | — | — |
| Lille | $1,959 | 49/100 | — | — | — |
| Toulouse | $2,012 | 50/100 | 182/200 | 79/100 | 37 |
| Bordeaux | $2,042 | 50/100 | — | — | — |
| Marseille | $2,043 | 33/100 | — | — | 69 |
| Lyon | $2,140 | 41/100 | 164/200 | 77/100 | 52 |
| Strasbourg | $2,189 | 59/100 | — | — | 43 |
| Nice | $2,407 | 45/100 | — | — | — |
| Paris | $2,826 | 42/100 | 147/200 | 77/100 | 63 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for France
Healthcare Index
77/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 535 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in France
Pollution Index
35/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 2,117 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in France
Average One-Way Commute
34minutes
Average
Traffic Index
126
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
136
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
3.4kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 510 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in France, answered with data
What is the cost of living in France?
France has a cost of living index of 66 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,795 in Nantes and reach $2,826 in Paris.
What is the cheapest city in France for expats?
Nantes is the most affordable city in France with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,795 for a single person including rent. Montpellier is the next most affordable at $1,932/mo.
Is France safe for expats?
France has a safety index of 44/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Strasbourg scores highest on safety at 59/100.
What is the best city in France for expats and digital nomads?
Toulouse ranks highest for quality of life in France, scoring 182/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,012/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Nantes offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,795/mo.
How good is healthcare in France?
France scores 77/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is France cheaper than the United States?
Yes. France's cost of living is roughly 34% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 80% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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