France is generally cheaper than England, with an estimated 1.4% to 10% lower cost of living, particularly due to lower housing, rental, and property tax costs outside major cities. While London is significantly more expensive than Paris,, rural France often offers far better value for property compared to the UK.
If you just look at prices supermarkets, it's easy to think that the UK is cheaper than France. Indeed, overall, groceries and consumer prices are lower in the UK than in France, and by more than 10%. However, that wouldn't be completely fair; indeed, rents also need to take into account.
Paris is comparatively more affordable than London, but still, the rentals are higher. However, dining out is also affordable in Paris, but it depends on which restaurant you choose. Daily essentials and utilities are also cheaper than in London.
The UK's economy is currently larger than France's in total GDP, but figures can fluctuate, with some reports suggesting France has slightly overtaken the UK in wealth per capita or by specific metrics, while the UK often shows higher GDP per person in other analyses, highlighting very similar economic standing with comparable GDP per capita and living standards, though France has greater overall household wealth and the UK higher financial asset wealth. Both are major European economies, often ranking closely in global lists for overall size and wealth per person, with recent data showing the UK's GDP slightly ahead (around $3.96 trillion vs France's $3.36 trillion for 2025 estimates) but differing perceptions based on various metrics like GDP per capita or wealth distribution.
Living on €1000 a month in Paris is extremely tight, almost impossible for comfort, but potentially manageable for a short time as a student with significant budgeting, sharing accommodation in the suburbs (banlieue), utilizing housing aid (APL), and cooking most meals, as Paris is very expensive, especially for rent, which alone can exceed €700-€900. A single person needs closer to €1500-€2000+ monthly for a less restrictive life, so €1000 requires extreme frugality and likely living far from the city center.
it is still perfectly possible to move to France in 2026 and live here long term. If you are a UK National, it is still perfectly possible for you to live in France more than 90 days at a time.
In cities like Paris, where the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, a net monthly income of €3,000 to €3,500 is generally considered comfortable for a single person.
To live comfortably in France, you'll likely need at least €1,800 – €2,000 per month to live in Paris and around €1,400 – €1,700 in other metropolitan cities.
In Paris, you can find more affordable items like T-shirts, sweaters - especially the signature Ami de Cœur - and trousers. Shopping at AMI Paris is a blend of contemporary and classic, offering a refined yet laid-back shopping experience that embodies Parisian cool.
Moving to rural France is quite an aspirational thing for the British middle classes. Lots of people like the idea of living in that type of environment (tranquil, rustic, idyllic, unspoilt) and they are often inspired by their holidays in such places.
However, France's overall tax burden remains much higher than the UK's. The OECD data showed Denmark had the highest tax burden as a share of GDP in 2024, at 45.2pc, followed by France at 43.5pc, well ahead of the UK's overall tax burden of 34.4pc of GDP.
On average, Wales has a lower cost of living than the rest of the UK, but that doesn't mean you'd be compromising on quality of life! The cheapest areas to buy property in Wales are Swansea and Newport, both busy cities with outstanding natural beauty nearby.
With so many articles on visas, which one to choose, how to apply, how to renew, etc., we often get asked: but, can I move to France without a job? The short answer is, no, you don't need a job to move to France, but you do need to prove you can support yourself.
How long do you have to live in France to get free healthcare?
All legal residents who have resided in France for three months are eligible for France's public healthcare system. However, there are some additional conditions to watch out for before you join the French healthcare system. Expats must be living there in a “stable and regular” manner.
What is the minimum income required to live in France?
income. As a guide, income should be at least equivalent to the 'SMIC' (minimum wage in France) which is €1231 net per person, per month (€1603.12) gross. Though decisions about applications are taken on a case-by-case basis, this is a good guide to what you should aim for.
