Living in France: cost of living, rents and the salary you need

Updated 2 October 2026

How much do you need to earn to live in France? Here are rents in the main cities, the minimum wage, healthcare, residence permits and moving costs, with the official source of every figure. For your own case, the calculator starts from your real budget, in your city, and moves it to France.

Work out my budget in France

Example: the same life, elsewhere

A single person living in London in a one-bedroom home, with the average spending of a similar household, spends about £3,350 a month. To keep the same life in Paris, they would need about €2,480 net a month locally (−37%), i.e. 1.7 times the SMIC.

For a couple with two children in a two-bedroom home (state school), it would take about €3,960 net a month in Paris, i.e. 2.7 times the SMIC.

Calculated on 2 October 2026 with the official averages of London and the destination’s prices. Yours depends on your city, home and habits: the calculator works it out in a few minutes, no sign-up.

Rents in France

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3-bedroom house
Paris	€990	€1,590	€2,080	€2,280
Lyon	€540	€860	€990	€1,510
Marseille	€520	€840	€970	€1,600
Toulouse	€460	€730	€830	€1,230
Nice	€640	€1,020	€1,280	€2,050
Nantes	€460	€750	€880	€1,370
Bordeaux	€520	€830	€950	€1,470
Lille	€510	€810	€950	€1,210
Montpellier	€500	€810	€900	€1,360
Strasbourg	€510	€820	€920	€1,490
Rennes	€480	€770	€900	€1,450

Monthly rent in EUR, outside the most sought-after areas. Studio 28 m², 1 bedroom 45 m², 2 bedrooms 65 m², house 95 m² where rent is known per m². Carte des loyers 2025 (ANIL / housing ministry), advertised rents including charges, by town.

Wages

The SMIC is €1,480 net a month (€1,870 gross).

Average wage: €2,730 net a month.

Median wage: €2,190 net a month.

Healthcare

Social security from your first day at work, or after 3 months of stable residence.

In the example above: with a local job you are covered by French social security from day one: we count top-up cover (£60 a month).

Visa and residence permit

The long-stay visa, then online validation within 3 months.

Cost: €400 per adult.

Visa + fee.

Living on income from abroad (remote work, retirement) is possible with a residence permit.

Moving in and everyday life

Deposit: 1 month’ rent
Agency fees: Capped per m² depending on the city (ALUR law)
School: Free state school
Electricity: €0.26 per kWh
Getting around without a car: Navigo: €90 a month per adult
Home cleaning: €10 an hour

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to live in Paris?

For a single person keeping the same life as in London: about €2,480 net a month, i.e. 1.7 times the SMIC.

How much is rent in Paris?

About €1,590 a month for a one-bedroom home and €2,080 for a two-bedroom home, according to Carte des loyers 2025 (ANIL / housing ministry), advertised rents including charges, by town.

Do you need a residence permit to live in France?

The long-stay visa, then online validation within 3 months. Cost: €400 per adult.