Which areas: comparing quality of life and well-being
Almost half of Americans in France live in the Île-de-France region, with several experiencing a better quality of life compared to the US
Which areas are the most popular?
The US Embassy estimates that over 100,000 American citizens reside in France (this fluctuates due to factors such as temporary work assignments, study abroad programs, and natural migration patterns), however official figures from the French state reveal more about those registered as part of the population.
The most recent figures from statistics body Insee published in June 2024, using administrative data from 2021, show a total of 30,102 US nationals living in metropolitan (mainland) France.
Almost half of them (14,015 residents, 46.6%) live in the Île-de-France region, home to the capital Paris (8,474 residents).
Next in line are the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (3,133 residents, 10.4%), with major cities including Lyon, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne and Annecy, and the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (2,847 residents, 9.4 %), which is home to Marseille, Nice, Toulon and Aix-en-Provence.
It has been reported that American interest in this region – especially in Nice (pictured) – has further increased since 2021.
Côte d’Azur France Tourisme recorded 620,000 stays by Americans in hotels in the region in 2024 (an increase of 10% since 2019), which appears in turn to signal a growing expat community according to estate agents who have noted an increase in American buyers.
Comparing quality of life and well-being
The most commonly cited quality of life benefits for Americans living in France – in addition to affordability and healthcare – are socio-economic factors, that cumulatively have a positive influence on their general well-being.
Most notable are governance and politics; personal safety; a work/life balance (‘working to live’, rather than ‘living to work’); a strong national history rich in cultural heritage; food and drink; efficient transport networks; and social attitudes to family and friendship.
The latest available Global Health Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) released in 2023 and citing data from 2021, show an average life expectancy of 82.5 years in France compared to 77 years in the US. France’s higher figure is due, in large part said the WHO, to factors such a universal healthcare system, lifestyle, and public health initiatives.
For more, the OECD’s Better Life Index provides a comparison of countries of 11 key factors contributing to well-being. You can grade each according to your preferred level of importance.
