😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,024 in Strasbourg versus $1,610 in Caen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,027 in Strasbourg versus $2,575 in Caen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,031 in Strasbourg versus $3,539 in Caen.
😐Living in Strasbourg is roughly 26% more expensive than Caen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Strasbourg51% above, Caen20% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.41€14.98
$15.07€12.96
15.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.6€63.3
$57.8€49.75
27.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.98€11.16
$11.37€9.78
14.16%
Cappuccino
$3.48€2.99
$2.68€2.30
29.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78€2.39
$3.65€3.14
-23.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43€2.09
$1.43€1.23
69.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.54€5.63
$8.15€7.01
-19.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.36€4.61
$6.55€5.63
-18.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65€1.42
$1.23€1.06
34.15%
White Bread(500g)
$2.50€2.15
$1.35€1.16
85.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.79€2.40
$2.28€1.96
22.37%
Eggs
$4.56€3.93
$3.40€2.92
34.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$28.86€24.82
$10.43€8.97
176.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.96€15.45
$11.33€9.75
58.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$24.37€20.96
$20.01€17.21
21.79%
Apples(1kg)
$3.12€2.69
$2.28€1.96
36.84%
Banana(1kg)
$2.52€2.17
$2.06€1.77
22.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.44€2.96
$2.34€2.02
47.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.83€3.30
$2.42€2.08
58.26%
Potato(1kg)
$2.40€2.06
$1.86€1.60
29.03%
Onion(1kg)
$2.66€2.29
$2.26€1.94
17.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36€1.17
$1.35€1.16
0.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$0.55€0.48
54.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.97€12.02
$12.75€10.96
9.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.05€7.78
$6.58€5.66
37.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.78
$2.40€2.07
-13.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93€3.38
$1.56€1.34
151.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.26€1.94
$1.83€1.57
23.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.9€55.0
$50.1€43.10
27.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49€3.01
$2.96€2.54
17.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.04€0.89
$1.81€1.55
-42.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.66€33.26
$36.44€31.34
6.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.73
$2.07€1.78
-2.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K€32.2K
$26.4K€22.7K
41.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.0K€32.7K
$34.6K€29.8K
9.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$256€220
$172€148
48.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.55€20.26
$23.41€20.14
0.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.40€28.73
$27.48€23.63
21.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.97€34.39
$31.20€26.84
28.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.82€23.07
$20.43€17.58
31.28%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04€12.08
$15.57€13.39
-9.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,377€1,184
$171€147
705.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,076€6,087
$8,661€7,450
-18.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$108€92.5
$111€95.3
-2.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.74€33.32
$36.42€31.33
6.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.0€78.3
$90.1€77.5
1.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125€107
$145€125
-13.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$787€677
$651€560
20.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$687€591
$556€478
23.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,713€1,473
$1,375€1,183
24.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$953€820
$1,056€908
-9.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,492€4,725
$4,640€3,991
18.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,194€2,747
$2,601€2,237
22.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Strasbourg
Caen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,948€2,536
$2,582€2,221
14.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
3.62
0.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Strasbourg: May 31, 2026
Last update for Caen: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $787 in Strasbourg and $651 in Caen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Strasbourg pays 14% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $74.0 in Strasbourg vs $58.0 in Caen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $449 vs $292 per month, with Caen cheaper across the board.
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
Strasbourg vs Caen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Strasbourg and Caen?
Strasbourg and Caen differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($2,024 vs $1,610 including rent). Caen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Strasbourg or Caen?
Strasbourg pays 14% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Strasbourg and Caen?
Rent for a central apartment: $787 in Strasbourg versus $651 in Caen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Strasbourg and Caen?
A monthly transit pass in Caen runs roughly 28% less than in Strasbourg. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Strasbourg and Caen?
Childcare runs $1,377 in Strasbourg versus $171 in Caen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,610 in Caen versus $2,024 in Strasbourg, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Caen but tight or insufficient in Strasbourg. The gap between the two cities makes Caen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Strasbourg and Caen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Strasbourg or Caen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Strasbourg and Caen are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Strasbourg or Caen?
Expats usually find Caen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Strasbourg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Strasbourg vs other spots: cost of living compared