For one person, living is cheaper in France: $1,962 a month against $2,626 in Australia, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in France and in Australia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $1,962 per month in France vs $2,626 in Australia, rent included.
France $1,962
Australia $2,626
A couple spends around $2,999 per month in France vs $3,810 in Australia, rent included.
France $2,999
Australia $3,810
A family of three spends $4,037 per month in France vs $4,994 in Australia, rent included.
France $4,037
Australia $4,994
📏
The regional cost range is wider in Australia ($1,068–$3,303) than in France ($1,181–$2,732), so city choice matters more there.
🌍
The cost of living in France is roughly 25% lower than in Australia on average.
📊
Both France and Australia are pricier than the global median – France by 44%, Australia by 93%.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
France
Australia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.74€15.00
$17.65A$25.10
-5.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.4€59.5
$85.2A$121
-22.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.62€12.20
$11.09A$15.77
22.81%
Cappuccino
$3.95€3.54
$3.90A$5.54
1.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42€3.06
$2.85A$4.05
20.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.85
$2.31A$3.29
-10.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.88€6.17
$7.53A$10.71
-8.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.46€4.90
$8.59A$12.21
-36.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
France
Australia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31€1.18
$1.76A$2.50
-25.57%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.82
$2.81A$3.99
-27.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.58€2.31
$2.24A$3.19
15.18%
Eggs
$4.34€3.89
$5.02A$7.14
-13.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.75€17.70
$9.87A$14.03
100.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.45€12.05
$9.32A$13.25
44.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.73€19.47
$14.86A$21.14
46.23%
Apples(1kg)
$3.04€2.72
$3.82A$5.43
-20.42%
Banana(1kg)
$2.29€2.05
$2.92A$4.16
-21.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.90€2.60
$3.13A$4.46
-7.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.55€3.18
$4.81A$6.84
-26.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.19€1.96
$2.80A$3.98
-21.79%
Onion(1kg)
$2.39€2.15
$2.38A$3.38
0.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.58€1.42
$2.37A$3.37
-33.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81€0.73
$1.65A$2.35
-50.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.70€12.28
$39.13A$55.7
-64.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.05€7.22
$13.93A$19.81
-42.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66€2.38
$4.96A$7.05
-46.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05€2.73
$5.17A$7.36
-41.01%
🚌 Getting Around
France
Australia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.07€1.86
$2.42A$3.44
-14.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.6€53.4
$94.6A$135
-37.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.05€4.52
$3.49A$4.97
44.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09€1.87
$1.60A$2.27
30.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$36.96€33.12
$39.84A$56.7
-7.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.11€1.89
$1.39A$1.98
51.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K€31.5K
$30.0KA$42.7K
17.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.3K€33.5K
$25.8KA$36.6K
44.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
France
Australia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$220€197
$205A$292
7.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.75€17.70
$28.33A$40.30
-30.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.36€30.79
$58.8A$83.6
-41.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
France
Australia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.58€31.88
$55.7A$79.2
-36.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.37€18.25
$19.57A$27.84
4.09%
Cinema Ticket
$13.47€12.07
$15.38A$21.87
-12.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
France
Australia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$898€804
$2,145A$3,051
-58.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.3K€11.0K
$18.3KA$26.1K
-33.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
France
Australia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101€90.8
$78.3A$111
29.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.51€40.78
$56.3A$80.0
-19.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105€94.5
$115A$164
-8.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139€124
$123A$175
12.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
France
Australia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$877€786
$1,591A$2,263
-44.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$703€630
$1,293A$1,839
-45.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,556€1,395
$2,524A$3,591
-38.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,248€1,118
$2,005A$2,852
-37.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,494€4,923
$8,751A$12.4K
-37.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,778€3,386
$6,260A$8,904
-39.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
France
Australia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,716€2,434
$3,984A$5,666
-31.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
5.93
-36.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for France: October 27, 2026
Last update for Australia: October 27, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
France
$703 35.8%
Australia
$1.3K 49.2% ↑ 84%$590
🛒Groceries & Markets
France
$374 19.1%
Australia
$374 14.3% ↓ 0%$0.2
🍽Eating Out
France
$289 14.8%
Australia
$297 11.3% ↑ 2.5%$7.2
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
France
$274 14%
Australia
$292 11.1% ↑ 6.7%$18
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
France
$176 9%
Australia
$168 6.4% ↓ 4.6%$8.1
🚌Getting Around
France
$83 4.3%
Australia
$116 4.4% ↑ 38.9%$32
🎉Sport & Entertainment
France
$63 3.2%
Australia
$86 3.3% ↑ 38.2%$24
🏠Accommodation & Living
France
$1.2K 30.9%
Australia
$2K 40.2% ↑ 60.7%$758
🛒Groceries & Markets
France
$882 21.9%
Australia
$848 17% ↓ 3.8%$34
🍽Eating Out
France
$906 22.5%
Australia
$1K 20.4% ↑ 12.3%$112
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
France
$294 7.3%
Australia
$320 6.4% ↑ 9.2%$27
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
France
$391 9.7%
Australia
$373 7.5% ↓ 4.6%$18
🚌Getting Around
France
$171 4.2%
Australia
$236 4.7% ↑ 38.3%$66
🎉Sport & Entertainment
France
$145 3.6%
Australia
$192 3.9% ↑ 32.3%$47
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $810 in France vs $1,383 in Australia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,622 in Paris and $1,749 in Canberra.
💰Average salary: $2,718 in France vs $3,874 in Australia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 71% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 31% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 65% more expensive in Australia.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
France vs Australia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than France?
France is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 25% lower on average.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia: a central one-bedroom averages $1,383 versus $810 in France.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, public transport, and eating out all cost less in France – part of why living there is about 25% cheaper overall.
Should I move to Australia or to France?
France is the budget-friendly choice for expats. But cost isn’t everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.