Cost of Student Living by City in France: 2026 Comparison
Monthly Budget by City (2026 estimates)
| City | Studio (private) | CROUS room | Transport | Total budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 900–1,400 € | 350–500 € | 84–87 € | 1,200–1,800 € |
| Nice | 600–800 € | 200–400 € | 15–23 € | 1,100–1,500 € |
| Lyon | 500–750 € | 200–400 € | 25–50 € | 1,000–1,400 € |
| Bordeaux | 500–700 € | 200–380 € | 21–35 € | 1,000–1,350 € |
| Nantes | 400–600 € | 250–400 € | 23–33 € | 950–1,300 € |
| Montpellier | 450–650 € | 250–400 € | 16–25 € | 950–1,300 € |
| Strasbourg | 450–600 € | 250–450 € | 18–36 € | 950–1,300 € |
| Toulouse | 450–650 € | 200–370 € | 10–15 € | 950–1,250 € |
| Rennes | 380–550 € | 380–450 € | 20–30 € | 950–1,250 € |
| Lille | 400–600 € | 200–350 € | 4–32 € | 900–1,250 € |
| Grenoble | 380–550 € | 200–380 € | 13–20 € | 900–1,250 € |
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Cheapest city? Rennes, Grenoble, and smaller cities (Angers, Clermont-Ferrand). Budget: 700–900 €/month.
Most expensive? Paris (1,200–1,800 €), followed by Nice and Lyon.
How to reduce costs? Apply for CROUS housing (apply from mid-January), request APL/ALS from the CAF immediately after signing your lease, use the student transport subscription in your city.