Living in France
Day-to-day life in France runs on a few essentials: budgeting for the cost of living (coût de la vie), finding housing (logement), and keeping a proof of address (justificatif de domicile), which almost every administrative step requires. Renters on low and middle incomes can often claim housing benefits from the CAF. The guides below cover settling in, from arrival to learning French.
Jules
Founder, How to France, the complete guide for living or visiting France
Updated: July 8 2026 | Found helpful by 3 others
Arrival Checklist
Read guide →Cost of Living
Read guide →Finding Housing
Read guide →Proof of Address
Read guide →Learning French
Read guide →What do renting and daily life cost in France in 2026?
Rent drives the cost of living in France. In October 2026 a 25 m² studio averages about €833 a month in Paris against €385 in Toulouse, on meilleursagents figures. Agency fees charged to tenants rose on 1 January 2026 for the first time in 11 years, to €12.10/m² in the Paris zone plus €3.03/m² for the état des lieux. The free Visale guarantee covers rents up to €1,940 a month in Île-de-France, for the first 3 years of a lease only.
The all-zone Navigo pass costs €90.80 a month since 1 January 2026, and the SMIC is €1,867.02 gross a month since 1 June 2026. Our cost of living guide adds up a monthly budget for four cities, and the housing guide covers guarantors, the legal dossier list and the rental scams reported on r/paris.