Cost of living · Europe · Eurostat HICP 2023
🇫🇷 Cost of living in France
France runs pricier than most of the EU-27 across rent, groceries and transport - see where the gap is widest and how far local income actually stretches.
- Cost index (EU-27=100)
- 108
- Rent index
- 96
- Median net income
- €25,500
- Cost-adjusted income
- €23,611
France sits at 108 on the 0-200 scale shown above.
Key takeaways
- Overall cost of living is 8% above the EU-27 average (index 108, EU-27 = 100).
- Most expensive category: groceries at index 117.
- Cheapest category: rent & housing at index 96.
- A typical income of €25,500 is worth about €23,611 in EU-average purchasing power.
Cost by category in France
France - price level by category (EU-27 = 100)
In France, groceries is the most expensive category and rent & housing the least.
What the France cost-of-living data shows
France's overall consumer price level is 8% above the EU-27 average. (How this index is built →)
Groceries stand out as the priciest category in France, at index 117, ahead of rent & housing at index 96 - a food basket costs proportionally more here than rent, transport or healthcare do.
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €25,500 is worth closer to €23,611 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Cities in France
National averages hide the big-city premium. See real monthly rent, groceries and transit costs for France's cities.
Countries with a similar cost of living
Frequently asked questions
Is France expensive to live in?▼
France's overall cost of living is 8% above the EU-27 average (index 108). Groceries is the priciest category and rent & housing the cheapest.
What does it cost to rent in France?▼
France's rent and housing price index is 96, below the EU norm.
How does income compare to costs in France?▼
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €25,500 is worth closer to €23,611 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Source: Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Price-level indices, EU-27 = 100, 2023. Income: Eurostat/OECD median equivalised net income.
Important: these figures are official Eurostat averages for general information and comparison, they are not personal financial advice. Your own cost of living depends on your city, housing and lifestyle, so treat this as a starting point and check current local prices before making any relocation or budget decision.
Read our methodology - how these indices are sourced and computed.