๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,009 in Toulouse versus $2,039 in Bourges.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,043 in Toulouse versus $3,074 in Bourges.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,077 in Toulouse versus $4,109 in Bourges.
๐Living in Toulouse costs roughly 2% less than in Bourges, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Toulouse49% above, Bourges51% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.39โฌ14.80
$17.27โฌ14.70
0.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.5โฌ59.1
$73.7โฌ62.8
-5.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.96โฌ11.03
$12.50โฌ10.64
3.68%
Cappuccino
$3.40โฌ2.89
$3.86โฌ3.28
-11.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62โฌ2.23
$2.91โฌ2.48
-9.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74โฌ1.48
$1.77โฌ1.51
-1.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.96โฌ6.77
$8.28โฌ7.04
-3.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.77โฌ4.91
$6.96โฌ5.92
-17.10%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42โฌ1.21
$1.47โฌ1.25
-3.40%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10โฌ1.79
$2.55โฌ2.17
-17.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.15โฌ2.68
$2.68โฌ2.28
17.54%
Eggs
$4.16โฌ3.54
$4.17โฌ3.55
-0.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$25.31โฌ21.54
$24.15โฌ20.55
4.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.45โฌ12.30
$15.86โฌ13.50
-8.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.30โฌ15.57
$25.31โฌ21.54
-27.70%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31โฌ2.81
$2.72โฌ2.31
21.69%
Banana(1kg)
$2.92โฌ2.49
$2.57โฌ2.18
13.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.18โฌ2.70
$3.49โฌ2.97
-8.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.49โฌ2.97
$3.89โฌ3.31
-10.28%
Potato(1kg)
$2.71โฌ2.31
$2.76โฌ2.35
-1.81%
Onion(1kg)
$3.26โฌ2.77
$2.79โฌ2.38
16.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.84โฌ1.56
$1.48โฌ1.26
24.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91โฌ0.78
$0.87โฌ0.74
4.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.99โฌ12.76
$13.72โฌ11.67
9.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.23โฌ7.86
$8.38โฌ7.13
10.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.91โฌ3.32
$3.16โฌ2.69
23.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15โฌ2.68
$3.13โฌ2.67
0.64%
๐ Getting Around
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.10โฌ1.79
$1.93โฌ1.64
8.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$65.2โฌ55.5
$49.60โฌ42.21
31.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.04โฌ2.59
$5.89โฌ5.02
-48.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39โฌ1.18
$1.91โฌ1.63
-27.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$41.43โฌ35.26
$57.4โฌ48.80
-27.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.00โฌ1.70
$2.10โฌ1.79
-4.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1Kโฌ31.6K
$37.7Kโฌ32.1K
-1.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.9Kโฌ33.1K
$37.9Kโฌ32.3K
2.51%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$188โฌ160
$284โฌ242
-33.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.24โฌ18.92
$22.27โฌ18.95
-0.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.06โฌ30.69
$37.15โฌ31.61
-2.93%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.97โฌ34.01
$38.25โฌ32.55
4.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.25โฌ22.34
$18.44โฌ15.69
42.35%
Cinema Ticket
$14.05โฌ11.95
$14.10โฌ12.00
-0.35%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$851โฌ724
$291โฌ247
192.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.8Kโฌ16.0K
$11.9Kโฌ10.1K
57.94%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$124โฌ106
$110โฌ93.7
12.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.48โฌ42.11
$49.93โฌ42.49
-0.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$130โฌ110
$123โฌ104
5.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160โฌ136
$163โฌ139
-2.02%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$879โฌ748
$770โฌ655
14.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$690โฌ587
$606โฌ516
13.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,577โฌ1,342
$1,225โฌ1,042
28.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,166โฌ992
$1,105โฌ940
5.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,291โฌ5,354
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,529โฌ3,003
$1,047โฌ891
237.01%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Toulouse
Bourges
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,011โฌ2,562
$2,993โฌ2,547
0.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.71
3.76
-1.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Toulouse: April 13, 2026
Last update for Bourges: April 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $879 in Toulouse and $770 in Bourges. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐToulouse pays 1% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $69 in Toulouse vs $74 in Bourges for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $409 vs $427 per month, with Toulouse 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
Toulouse vs Bourges: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Toulouse or Bourges?
Toulouse wins on cost โ living expenses run 2% lower than in Bourges. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Toulouse the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Toulouse or Bourges?
Toulouse pays 1% 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Toulouse vs Bourges?
Rent for a central apartment: $879 in Toulouse versus $770 in Bourges. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Toulouse vs Bourges?
Dining out is cheaper in Toulouse โ a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $74.0 in Bourges. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Toulouse compared to Bourges?
All in, you'll spend $2,009 per month in Toulouse versus $2,039 in Bourges โ a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Toulouse or Bourges?
At $2,009 in Toulouse versus $2,039 in Bourges, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Toulouse but tight or insufficient in Bourges. The gap between the two cities makes Toulouse the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Toulouse or Bourges?
Both work as nomad bases, but Toulouse delivers better value โ similar infrastructure at $2,009 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Toulouse hard to pass up.
How safe is Toulouse compared to Bourges?
Safety-wise, Toulouse and Bourges 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Toulouse gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 2% less than in Bourges. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.