{"id":61428,"date":"2026-04-25T15:45:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T14:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/?p=61428"},"modified":"2026-05-18T01:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:47:27","slug":"students-monthly-expenses-breakdown-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/students-monthly-expenses-breakdown-france\/","title":{"rendered":"A look at the monthly expenses you can expect as a student in France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re an international student, it\u2019s important to understand and manage your budget. This guide explains the typical monthly expenses you\u2019ll have while studying in France, so you can plan and prepare for your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How much do students need each month to live in France?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most students need between <strong>\u20ac800 and \u20ac1,500+ each month to cover basics like<\/strong> housing, food, and transportation. Housing is the biggest expense, and your lifestyle will strongly affect your total budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Here\u2019s a breakdown of typical monthly costs:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Caterogy<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly costs<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Housing<\/td><td>\u20ac250\u2013\u20ac1,500+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Groceries<\/td><td>\u20ac180\u2013\u20ac300+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transportation<\/td><td>\u20ac40\u2013\u20ac90+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Healthcare<\/td><td>\u20ac0\u2013\u20ac40+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cell Phone<\/td><td>\u20ac2\u2013\u20ac30+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Entertainment<\/td><td>\u20ac100\u2013\u20ac250+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td><td><strong><strong>\u20ac800\u2013\u20ac1,500+<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>These numbers are averages, so your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on where you live, your school, how long you stay, your housing, and your lifestyle. Paris and other big cities are usually more expensive than smaller towns.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get a more accurate estimate, use our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/cost-of-living-in-france-calculator\/\">Cost of Living Calculator<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Most students in France need <strong><strong><strong>\u20ac800 <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>to<strong><strong><strong> \u20ac1,500+<\/strong><\/strong> each month for basic living costs<\/strong> like housing, food, and transportation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paris and other <strong>big cities are usually more expensive<\/strong> than smaller towns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Housing is often the biggest expense, from \u20ac200 to \u20ac500 for CROUS rooms <strong>up to \u20ac1,200 for private apartments in large cities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food costs average \u20ac150 to \u20ac300 per month<\/strong>, with higher prices in Paris.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public transportation costs about \u20ac90 per month in Paris and <strong>\u20ac40 to \u20ac70 in other cities<\/strong>. Student discounts are widely available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basic student health insurance is free, but extra coverage <strong>(mutuelle) costs \u20ac25 to \u20ac40 per month<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone and internet plans are affordable, starting at <strong>\u20ac8 to \u20ac10 per month for mobile<\/strong> and \u20ac20 to \u20ac40 per month for internet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan to spend <strong>\u20ac100 to \u20ac200 per month on cultural and leisure activities<\/strong>. Student discounts and free events are common.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/4-819x1024.png\" alt=\"monthly expenses cost of living france\" class=\"wp-image-61444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/4-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/4-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/4-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/4.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Housing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Housing is usually the biggest expense for students<\/strong> in France, and costs can vary a lot depending on the city and the type of place you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the most common housing options for international students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CROUS<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CROUS is a French public organization that offers affordable housing, meals, and financial support to students. <a href=\"https:\/\/trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CROUS accommodations<\/strong><\/a> are usually the cheapest option, with single rooms costing <strong>\u20ac250 to \u20ac350 per month<\/strong>, and small studios with a private kitchen and bathroom costing <strong>\u20ac300 to \u20ac500 per month<\/strong>. Prices depend on the location, and spots are limited because demand is high. You usually need to apply between January and May 31 for the next academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Shared Housing<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many students choose to live in a shared house because it\u2019s more affordable than renting a private apartment. It\u2019s also a good way to meet other French or international students and enjoy a diverse environment. Renting a room in a shared flat usually costs between <strong>\u20ac400 and \u20ac700 per month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shared housing is often the cheaper choice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u20ac600 per room in Paris<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u20ac500 in Lyon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u20ac450 in Bordeaux<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u20ac400 in Marseille<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Studios &amp; Private Apartments<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want more independence and privacy, you\u2019ll pay <strong>between \u20ac500 and \u20ac1,500+ per month<\/strong>. Prices are higher in cities like Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example: A student studio can cost:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u20ac800+ in Paris<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u20ac700 in Lyon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u20ac550 in Marseille<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To book accommodation online, visit our page: <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/accommodation-in-france\/\"><strong>Student Accommodation in France<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-6-1.png\" alt=\"monthly expenses cost of living france\" class=\"wp-image-71490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-6-1.png 798w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-6-1-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-6-1-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Groceries<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On average, students spend <strong>\u20ac180 to \u20ac330 per month<\/strong> on groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Paris, you\u2019ll probably spend about \u20ac200 to \u20ac300 per month. In other regions, it\u2019s usually \u20ac150 to \u20ac200. Prices for everyday items can vary a lot depending on where you are. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1 baguette: \u20ac1.20 in Paris and \u20ac0.90 elsewhere<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>12 eggs: \u20ac2.80 in Paris and \u20ac1.95 in other regions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 kg of rice: \u20ac2.10 in Paris and \u20ac1.70 in smaller towns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monthly public transport costs depend on the city. In Paris, a standard monthly pass is about \u20ac90. In other areas, it\u2019s usually <strong>\u20ac40 to \u20ac70 per month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most French cities offer reduced fares or discounted monthly passes for students. You\u2019ll usually need to show your student ID or proof of enrollment to get these discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Healthcare<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re in France on a student visa, you can <strong>get <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/how-the-french-healthcare-system-works\/\">French health insurance<\/a> for free<\/strong>. It usually covers about 60% of your medical costs. To cover the rest, you can buy extra insurance, called a mutuelle, which costs <strong>between \u20ac25 and \u20ac40 per month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cell Phone &amp; Internet<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll probably pay less for phone and internet in France than you do in your home country. French providers offer very competitive and affordable plans:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Internet: \u20ac20 to \u20ac40 per month<\/strong> for private housing. Some student residences include internet in the rent, so check before signing up for a separate plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cell phone: \u20ac2 to \u20ac30 per month<\/strong> for a plan with unlimited data, calls, and texts. Online providers like RED by SFR, B&amp;You, and Sosh offer plans with unlimited or large data amounts for about \u20ac8 to \u20ac12 per month. The main providers such as Orange, SFR, and Bouygues are more expensive, usually \u20ac20 to \u20ac40 per month, but you get better customer service, physical stores, and often extra perks like TV or roaming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here\u2019s a quick look at the main operators and their price ranges:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Operators<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Prices<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Orange<\/td><td>\u20ac20~\u20ac40<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sosh (by Orange)<\/td><td>\u20ac9.99~\u20ac11.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SFR<\/td><td>\u20ac25~\u20ac40<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>RED (by SFR)<\/td><td>\u20ac7.99~\u20ac8.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bouygues<\/td><td>\u20ac25~\u20ac40<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>B&amp;You (by Bouygues)<\/td><td>\u20ac8.99~\u20ac9.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Free Mobile<\/td><td>\u20ac2~\u20ac12.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prixtel<\/td><td>\u20ac4.99~\u20ac6.99<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Entertainment &amp; Activities<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leisure costs depend on the city, especially when comparing Paris to other regions. Here are some average prices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Movie theater: Standard ticket is around <strong>\u20ac10\u2013\u20ac15<\/strong> and the ticket with student discount is around <strong>\u20ac7\u2013\u20ac10<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Museum tickets: Museum entry fees vary more significantly depending on the institution. Most museums charge between <strong>\u20ac10 and \u20ac18<\/strong>, although many national museums offer <strong>free entry to EU residents under 26.<\/strong> However, there are important exceptions. The <strong>Louvre Museum<\/strong> has recently introduced differentiated pricing: non-EU visitors now pay approximately <strong>\u20ac32<\/strong>, while EU residents benefit from reduced rates or free access depending on age and status. This makes it one of the most expensive museums in France for international visitors. Another major museum, the <strong>Mus\u00e9e d&#8217;Orsay<\/strong>, charges around <strong>\u20ac16 for standard admission<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swimming pool: \u20ac3.50 (full price) or \u20ac2 (reduced) in Paris; \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac3 in other areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Theater tickets: Start at around \u20ac10 in Paris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s reasonable to budget <strong>\u20ac100 to \u20ac250 per month<\/strong> for entertainment and cultural experiences. Many places offer student discounts, and there are also lots of free activities. For example, many museums are free on the first Sunday of each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information, tips, and resources about studying and living in France, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/student-resources\/\"><strong>Student Resources<\/strong><\/a> and visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/\"><strong>Go! Go! France blog<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re an international student, it\u2019s important to understand and manage your budget. This guide explains the typical monthly expenses you\u2019ll have while studying in France, so you can plan and prepare for your stay. How much do students need each month to live in France? Most students need between \u20ac800 and \u20ac1,500+ each month [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":71485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1235],"tags":[1375,1642],"class_list":["post-61428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-life","tag-budget","tag-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/119"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61428"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87843,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61428\/revisions\/87843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}