Cost of Living in France for Indian Students

France, as a country, needs no introduction. People know the country and also know that it is one of the most expensive countries to stay in. In fact, this is not too far from the truth. Some of the French cities are rather expensive to stay in. But on average, if we were to look at the country from a student’s point of view…then how costly is it? Read the article to gain insight into the cost of living in France.

Nothing too extravagant but yes, France is a tad more than other European countries like Germany and Italy. Comparing it to the UK and the USA, well, it’s cheaper but just. As a student, there are many costs that would affect your day-to-day costs. The biggest would be the rentals/accommodation as well as the cost of food and sustenance. Here is a breakup of the basic utilities and the costs that a student would have to incur.

Living in France for International Students

There are many factors which would decide how much would international students have to spend to live in France or what would be the cost of living in France. Your choice of accommodation, its location and your lifestyle would majorly decide how much would you have to spend on living. France as a country is basically towards the expensive side as compared to other study-abroad destinations, making it difficult for many students to afford it. But the good part is that many scholarships and part-time employment opportunities exist which can help ease your burden with regard to your overall stay over there.

It is always a good idea to choose a shared accommodation so that the rent is shared by another person or persons. Also, cooking your meals yourself can save your spending from moving towards the higher side. Eating at restaurants or high-end cafes can be done once every one or two months, depending upon your budget. Avoiding frequent outside food will not only keep you healthy but will also help you save money.

These, as mentioned, are only indicative costs and give a fair enough idea of the average. What is important to note, however, is that the bigger the city, the higher the cost of living! For instance, rentals in Paris are almost twice as much as the country average at about €928 per month for a single room accommodation. Also, the other things would be more are well. The city averages at about €180 per month for basic utilities and recreation costs way more – after all, there is so much to see and do in a city like Paris.

Cost of Transportation in France

Students in France have various options when it comes to commuting. They can opt for buses or coaches, trains, taxis, etc. depending upon their budget. The most budget-friendly option would be a bus as it charges the least of the many options available and also offers certain discounts to students travelling. Many universities and colleges have offices of transport companies inside their campuses where students can register for yearly or monthly passes once their session begins. 

Public Transport: If you're a student aged 26 or below you are eligible for special transport costs while subscribing to public conveyance. You will be required to show your student ID for the same. Students residing in Île-de-France can make use of the Imagine'R card that allows them to travel unlimited throughout Île-de-France. They will have to shell out less than 350 euros yearly. Another special pass called the Ticket Jeune is for the same age group but is valid for 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, or any band holiday. With this students can commute freely within a limited area for only four euros.

Students can also travel by coaches which are affordable in comparison to trains and offer facilities such as Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seats, and electric sockets for charging purposes. Another option is the self-service bicycle rental scheme which exists in the majority of the big cities of France. Students living outside their college campus can subscribe for the same annually by paying an average of 15-30 euros.

Cost of Living in French Universities

The table below lists the monthly university accommodation/on-campus housing rent for students at different renowned French institutions.

City-Wise Cost of Living in France

The rates also vary if you are looking at city centre properties or are willing for accommodation in the suburbs. Also, three-bedroom accommodation, if taken on sharing basis, would cost a student much less. Also, campus accommodation, again, would be cheaper as well and a great place for students to explore. It’s all about finding your balance. Here’s a comparative look at the top student cities in France and their monthly average expenses.

Related Blog: Most Expensive City in the world for Students

As is evident, leaving aside Paris, all the famous cities have a cost of living closer to the country's average. This again would vary from region to region and as a student, you are sure to find an optimal solution. The only advice we wish to furnish at this point is that when planning, keep these figures at the basic. Optimizing would happen later but when planning, it would be wise to keep these figures in mind as the very basic.