😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,019 in Strasbourg versus $1,983 in Montpellier.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,980 in Strasbourg versus $2,927 in Montpellier.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,941 in Strasbourg versus $3,871 in Montpellier.
🌍Living in Strasbourg is roughly 2% more expensive than in Montpellier, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Strasbourg51% above, Montpellier48% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.53€15.32
$17.30€15.11
1.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.6€63.5
$58.6€51.2
23.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.76€11.15
$13.07€11.42
-2.37%
Cappuccino
$3.42€2.99
$3.67€3.21
-6.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78€2.43
$2.69€2.35
3.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48€2.17
$1.89€1.66
31.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.47€5.65
$5.93€5.18
9.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.19€4.54
$4.51€3.94
15.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61€1.41
$1.42€1.24
13.38%
White Bread(500g)
$2.49€2.18
$3.14€2.74
-20.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.89€2.53
$2.62€2.29
10.31%
Eggs
$4.56€3.98
$4.23€3.70
7.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$29.45€25.73
$18.64€16.28
57.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.95€15.68
$15.23€13.31
17.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$24.14€21.09
$25.87€22.60
-6.69%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09€2.70
$3.21€2.80
-3.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45€2.14
$2.24€1.96
9.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.43€3.00
$2.52€2.21
36.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.80€3.32
$3.85€3.36
-1.30%
Potato(1kg)
$2.45€2.14
$2.37€2.07
3.38%
Onion(1kg)
$2.73€2.39
$2.65€2.31
3.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.38€1.20
$1.58€1.38
-12.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90€0.79
$0.56€0.49
60.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.91€12.16
$13.92€12.17
-0.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.92€7.80
$8.19€7.16
8.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.81
$3.05€2.66
-32.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97€3.47
$3.96€3.46
0.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.25€1.96
$1.80€1.57
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$65.8€57.5
$17.70€15.47
271.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.55€3.10
$5.35€4.68
-33.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.98€0.86
$1.59€1.39
-38.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.56€33.69
$33.49€29.26
15.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.76
$2.02€1.76
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K€32.5K
$37.4K€32.6K
-0.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.2K€33.4K
$38.5K€33.6K
-0.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$264€231
$189€165
39.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.10€20.18
$28.13€24.57
-17.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.64€28.52
$34.31€29.98
-4.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.91€33.99
$38.30€33.46
1.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.84€23.45
$28.98€25.32
-7.38%
Cinema Ticket
$13.75€12.01
$13.69€11.96
0.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,378€1,204
$779€681
76.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,198€6,289
$8,217€7,180
-12.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109€95.3
$102€89.0
7.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.57€34.58
$44.38€38.77
-10.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.8€78.5
$107€93.2
-15.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125€109
$183€160
-31.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817€714
$850€743
-3.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$701€612
$765€669
-8.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,673€1,462
$1,384€1,209
20.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$943€824
$1,107€967
-14.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,343€4,668
$5,115€4,469
4.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,103€2,711
$3,926€3,430
-20.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Strasbourg
Montpellier
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,026€2,644
$2,699€2,358
12.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
3.64
0.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Strasbourg: July 13, 2026
Last update for Montpellier: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $817 in Strasbourg and $850 in Montpellier. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Strasbourg pays 12% 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: $73.0 in Strasbourg vs $59.0 in Montpellier for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $449 vs $406 per month, with Montpellier 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 Montpellier: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montpellier cheaper than Strasbourg?
Montpellier is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Strasbourg or Montpellier?
Average pay runs 12% higher in Strasbourg, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Strasbourg and Montpellier?
Rent for a central apartment: $817 in Strasbourg versus $850 in Montpellier. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Strasbourg and in Montpellier?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Strasbourg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Strasbourg or in Montpellier?
Dining out is cheaper in Montpellier – a meal for two runs $59.0 versus $73.0 in Strasbourg. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Strasbourg or in Montpellier?
At $1,983 in Montpellier versus $2,019 in Strasbourg, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Montpellier but tight or insufficient in Strasbourg. The gap between the two cities makes Montpellier the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Strasbourg or Montpellier more family-friendly?
For families, Montpellier is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Strasbourg, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Strasbourg or Montpellier?
Safety-wise, Strasbourg and Montpellier are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Montpellier gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% 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