Cost of Living Comparison United States vs France. (2024)

FAQs

Cost of Living Comparison United States vs France.? ›

According to Expatistan, living in France is approximately 24% cheaper than in the USA. However, the cost of living can vary depending on the city and specific expenses.

According to Expatistan, living in France is approximately 24% cheaper than in the USA. However, the cost of living can vary depending on the city and specific expenses.

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,626.3$ (3,391.4€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,018.7$ (952.7€) without rent. Cost of living in France is, on average, 9.7% lower than in United States.

French people earn USD 45 581 per year on average, below the OECD average of USD 49 165. Another essential factor of employment quality is job security, in terms of expected loss of earnings when someone becomes unemployed.

French life offers cultural richness and promotes work-life balance through practices like a 35-hour workweek, but it comes with challenges such as navigating cultural differences and bureaucracy. French cuisine is at the heart of the culture, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and social dining experiences.

Yes, US citizens can move to France permanently, but there are several legal requirements involved. First, you must apply for your long-stay visa and be sure to renew it every year. Once you have been in France for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency, or apply for French citizenship through naturalization.

France has much higher taxes than in the US. Total taxes plus fees charged by the state account for more than 50% of France's GDP (it used to be only 35% in the early 70s). In contrast, Federal taxes (income tax plus social security taxes plus Medicare tax plus other miscellaneous taxes) are about 28% of the US GDP.

€ 80,000 gross annual salary in Paris is considerably more than what most people earn. Most Parisiens will never earn that much in their entire career. However, you can easily find other people who earn much more than that.

Salary for a comfortable life in France

In France in 2024, you'd typically need between €3,500 and €4,000 per month to live comfortably as an individual. This amount should cover your basic living expenses plus a little extra for leisure and savings.

How much money is needed to live comfortably in France? ›

The French government advises that a single person will need at least €1,800 euros per month to move to France and live comfortably (and €3,600 euros per month for a couple).

France has visa requirements for retirees, and you must meet specific eligibility criteria. The most common visa for retirees is the Long-Stay Visa for Retirement (Visa de Long Séjour pour Retraite).

Cost of living in United States is 21% more expensive than in France.

At the higher end, 23% of workers make €3,000 a month while the top 10% of earners in the country bank €4,170. The biggest pay cheques, those over €10,000 per month, are reserved for the top 1% of salaried workers.

Generally speaking, 50k is a good salary. The French average gross salary is slightly under 36 k€ (2015, the latest available data) but it includes Paris and the rest of France.

Visas and Work Permits

There are several different types of French visas. For moving to France from the U.S., you will probably want a long-stay visa. Typically, these are valid for one year and must be renewed before the first year is over. After the first year, a long-term residence permit must be obtained.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Hauts-de-France are some of the most affordable regions in France. Whether you're seeking picturesque countryside living or urban adventures, these regions have something for everyone.