Known for beautiful scenery, excellent cuisine and wine, and a unique approach to life, France is a popular choice for many British expats looking for a new home and a change of pace. If you’re considering moving across the Channel, you might be wondering about the cost of living in the UK vs France.
In this guide, we delve into the basic cost of living, as well as the cost of accommodation and transport in the country also known as the Hexagon. Understanding how the cost of living in France differs to the UK can help you to determine whether making the move is cost effective and put you in a better position to make an informed decision. Should you decide to join the ranks of British expats who’ve made a new home and life for themselves in la belle France, NewbridgeFX can always assist when you need to make international payments.
What is the cost of living in the UK compared to France?
The cost of living in the UK isn’t drastically different compared to the cost of living in France. That said, life in the UK can be more affordable. According to Numbeo, UK consumer prices are 7.8% lower than in France (rent excluded). UK grocery prices are 23.6% lower than in France, while local purchasing power in the UK is 15.9% higher than in France. Compared to France, restaurant prices in the UK are 7.9% higher.
One of the reasons why French cost of living has increased over the last few years is the country’s own cost of living crisis. In addition to significant increases in energy and fuel prices, the country continues to experience supply chain disruptions, the effects of the war in Ukraine, and the impact of climate change, all of which contribute to the increased average cost of living in France. Thankfully, the French government is helping by capping gas and electricity price increases, encouraging companies to offer annual tax-free bonuses, and subsidising petrol and diesel price rebates.
The table below includes average prices for common food items, groceries, and other offerings. All figures were taken from Numbeo on 18 July 2023 at 5.30pm.
| UK | France | |
| Milk (1 litre) | 1.21 €
(1.04 £) |
1.06 €
(0.91 £) |
| Bread (500g loaf) | 1.24 €
(1.07 £) |
1.57 €
(1.35 £) |
| Eggs (12pk) | 2.60 €
(2.23 £) |
3.18 €
(2.73 £) |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | 1.18 €
(1.01 £) |
0.70 €
(0.60 £) |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 6.83 €
(5.87 £) |
11.27 €
(9.68 £) |
| Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant) | 3.49 €
(3.00 £) |
2.92 €
(2.51 £) |
| Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub) | 5.24 €
(4.50 £) |
6.00 €
(5.16 £) |
| Cinema ticket | 11.64 €
(10.00 £) |
11.00 €
(9.45 £) |
| Gym membership (monthly) | 36.79 €
(31.62 £) |
32.28 €
(27.74 £) |
| Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly) | 1,251.05 €
(1,075.01 £) |
625.07 €
(537.11 £) |
| Primary School (yearly) | 16,481.40 €
(14,162.22 £) |
10,116.79 €
(8,693.20 £) |
How much does accommodation cost in the UK vs France?
Whether you’re considering purchasing or renting property in France, the cost of accommodation is an important factor in working out whether you can afford the cost of living in France. While buying property in France can be more expensive compared to the UK, French rental prices are 31.2% lower than in the UK. The table below offers a good idea of the average rental and property prices in a few different cities.
France
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £1,072.61 (1,244.19 €) |
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £815.71 (946.19 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £2,460.81 (2,854.45 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £1,706.95 (1,980.00 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre) | £10,817.07 (12,547.41 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre) | £7,602.82 (8,819.00 €) |
Bordeaux
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £2,097.26 (700.00 €) |
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £1,698.92 (568.75 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £3,854.90 (1,233.33 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £2,501.93 (1,142.86 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre) | £13,653.22 (5,332.00 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre) | £7,777.41 (4,325.00 €) |
Nice
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £2,097.26 (863.18 €) |
| Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £1,464.54 (699.56 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre) | £3,854.90 (1,733.33 €) |
| Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre) | £2,501.73 (1,350.00 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre) | £15,837.25.90 (6,583.33 €) |
| Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre) | £7,777.40 (€3,700.00) |
How much does transport cost in the UK vs France?
Transportation is another important consideration when looking at the cost of living in the UK vs France. On the whole, you will pay less for petrol and new vehicles in the UK, while public transport in the UK is noticeably more expensive than in France. The table below shows basic transport costs in the UK compared to those in France.
| UK | France | |
| Single bus ticket | 2.91 €
(2.50 £) |
1.70 €
(1.46 £) |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 76.81 €
(66.00 £) |
62.00 €
(53.28 £) |
| Petrol (1 litre) | 1.81 €
(1.55 £) |
1.90 €
(1.63 £) |
| Volkswagen Golf | 25,602.68 €
(22,000.00 £) |
25,000.00 €
(21,482.13 £) |
| Toyota Corolla | 26,846.33 €
(23,068.66 £) |
25,905.01 €
(22,259.80 £) |
Sign up for a personal account with NewbridgeFX
If after considering the cost of living in France compared to the average cost of living in the UK you think that relocating could work for you, you should make the move as smooth as possible. One way of doing this is to ensure that you choose a reputable foreign exchange and international payment services provider such as NewbridgeFX.
With us, you can transfer your money to France fee-free and at the best possible exchange rate, manage your currency requirements effectively, and take advantage of various products designed to help you manage the risks associated with international payments. Sign up for a personal NewbridgeFX account to streamline and simplify your international transactions.