Key areas of your French living budget

Groceries and meals

Numbeo’s grocery index shows relative parity between France (70.1) and the US (71.3), while the restaurant index shows France at 60 and the US at 65.5 – restaurant prices in US are 9.2% higher than in France.

While grocery costs are broadly similar, shopping at France’s main supermarket chains (Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, E.Leclerc and Intermarché among others) can often work out cheaper, as these big retailers offer a wide range of goods with client fidelity programs, weekly promotions for bulk buys, etc. Lidl and Aldi are also popular in France and offer cheaper product lines for many items.

Ticket prices include all sales taxes in France, so the total you see is what you pay at the checkout. Bear in mind that large supermarkets compete with ever-popular fresh produce markets (marchés) and independent food stores (i.e. boulangeries and similar). These offer local quality and convenience, and are more commonly used by French people who tend to shop in smaller quantities and on a more frequent basis.

Eating out is no longer as cheap as it used to be, though it continues to be common practice – as a result the majority of establishments, whether cafés, bistrots, brasseries or restaurants, offer excellent value set meals alongside main items on the menu (note that all menu costs include service and charges). 

The best value can be found at lunchtime, when the menu du jour offers two or three courses for a fixed price – always cheaper than choosing à la carte but with fewer options.

Getting around 

Driving in France is commonplace, with an estimated 40 million people holding a license. At the time of writing fuel costs were €1.70 per liter for unleaded 95, with diesel slightly cheaper at around €1.66 per liter. 

Though not as heavily relied upon as in the US, should you choose to drive, be aware that as well as fuel, insurance, and maintenance, you also need to factor in the country’s autoroutes (highways) toll fees. 

Tolls are dependent on how far you travel. They have historically been payable on exit at the péage booth. However, France is progressively introducing barrier-free (flux libre) toll systems on certain motorways, where payment must be made online or within a deadline after travel.

Public transport in France, especially in larger cities, is a cost-effective and reliable means of getting around, with the country’s nationalized SNCF rail service lauded for its efficiency. 

Paying the bills 

Linky smart meters are fitted in the majority of properties, where from August 1, 2025 the VAT rate on energy contracts increases from 5.5% to 20%, affecting both gas and electricity bills. 

Water is controlled by private companies in France, with local companies managing infrastructure. Rates vary and are charged by cubic meter, billed every 6-12 months.

TV / internet / phone bundle deals are common – as an example, €29.99 a month plus VAT (€35.99 total a month) is offered as standard by a number of outlets which includes high-speed internet, a VOIP phone with unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles in France plus certain destinations including the USA, and over 580 TV channels.

Healthcare costs 

The cost of healthcare, while far cheaper than in the US, can vary dependent on whether you need to contribute to the system, and on your level of policy cover (see chapter 18 on healthcare).

As a brief overview, once enrolled on the system your costs are reimbursed to you directly to your bank account at a rate of 70% and upwards, dependent on the treatment and practitioner. Costs without the reimbursement (what a tourist would pay if they needed treatment when visiting the country) are considerably lower than in the United States - a visit to a personal primary care practitioner, for example, costs €30. 

You will need to present your carte vitale for each medical consultation.