Living Costs in France: City-by-City Breakdown
What things actually cost for international students in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse and Bordeaux. Realistic budgets, not the optimistic numbers universities put in their brochures.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
1 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
City comparison
| Item | Paris | Lyon | Toulouse | Bordeaux |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio rent | €750 | €500 | €450 | €500 |
| Monthly total | €1,300 | €960 | €870 | €945 |
| vs Paris | — | −26% | −33% | −27% |
Against the Eiffel master's allowance of €1,200 a month, Paris is tight and the regions leave room to save. The PhD allowance of €2,000 covers any city comfortably.
City cost calculator
€1,300
Total monthly
€13,000
Annual (10 months)
Lines: rent (studio), food & groceries, transport (Navigo/pass), phone plan, health top-up (mutuelle), misc (clothes, leisure, etc.).
Student discounts
- CROUS restaurants: €3.30 a meal (starter, main and dessert). The best deal in France for students.
- Navigo Imagine R: about €38 a month for unlimited Paris transport (under 26) — half the normal price.
- Museums: free for EU residents under 26; others get reduced rates with a student card.
- Phone plans: Free Mobile at €2 a month (2 hours plus unlimited texts); cheap mobile data from €8 a month.
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