Cost of living in France compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in France is 17% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €20 (£17) | £15 | + 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (£10) | £8 | + 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €7 (£5.69) | £3.90 | + 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.22 (£1.05) | £1.13 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.84 (£4.17) | £3.83 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.99 (£2.58) | £2.54 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 (£7) | £4.92 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €3.09 (£2.66) | £2.00 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €2.18 (£1.88) | £0.89 | + 112% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.26 (£1.95) | £1.96 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €9 (£8) | £9 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.61 (£2.25) | £2.16 | + 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.45 (£1.25) | £1.14 | + 10% | |
| Housing | - 28% | |||
| Housing in France is 28% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,693 (£1,461) | £2,361 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,374 (£1,185) | £1,567 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €232 (£200) | £169 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,201 (£1,036) | £1,600 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €851 (£734) | £981 | - 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €135 (£117) | £121 | - 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €24 (£21) | £26 | - 22% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €268 (£231) | £256 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €107 (£92) | £109 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 (£7) | £6 | + 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €16 (£14) | £15 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in France is 10% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €81 (£70) | £66 | + 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €45 (£39) | £35 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €102 (£88) | £79 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €106 (£91) | £82 | + 12% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in France is 33% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €31,571 (£27,233) | £24,996 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.72 (£1.48) | £1.41 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €60 (£52) | £99 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | + 11% | |||
| Personal Care in France is 11% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €10 (£9) | £3.47 | + 150% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €18 (£15) | £8 | + 98% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €26 (£23) | £73 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €6 (£5.31) | £3.86 | + 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.56 (£3.94) | £2.43 | + 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.56 (£3.93) | £4.60 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.28 (£1.97) | £2.26 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €3.78 (£3.26) | £1.80 | + 81% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 (£21) | £15 | + 36% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in France is 16% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| France | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €44 (£38) | £41 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €22 (£19) | £23 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €105 (£90) | £100 | - 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €63 (£55) | £68 | - 20% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 (£10) | £11 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.21 (£3.63) | £3.82 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €7 (£6) | £6 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €502 (£433) | £396 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.14 (£0.13) | £0.17 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €29 (£25) | £44 | - 42% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €12 (£11) | £15 | - 31% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 08, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.863
GBP
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,428 prices entered by 530 different people.
Cost of living in France is 18% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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