Cost of Living Comparison Between Toulouse and MelunCost of Living Comparison Between Toulouse and Melun
Monthly Cost of Living
๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,985 in Toulouse versus $1,764 in Melun.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,055 in Toulouse versus $2,642 in Melun.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,126 in Toulouse versus $3,519 in Melun.
๐Living in Toulouse is roughly 13% more expensive than Melun, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Toulouse48% above, Melun32% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.07โฌ14.56
$13.21โฌ11.27
29.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.2โฌ59.0
$55.4โฌ47.21
24.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.75โฌ10.87
$13.73โฌ11.71
-7.14%
Cappuccino
$3.55โฌ3.02
$3.15โฌ2.68
12.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63โฌ2.24
$1.78โฌ1.51
47.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74โฌ1.49
$2.10โฌ1.79
-17.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.88โฌ6.72
$7.56โฌ6.45
4.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.85โฌ4.99
$5.84โฌ4.98
0.17%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43โฌ1.22
$1.52โฌ1.30
-5.92%
White Bread(500g)
$2.19โฌ1.87
$1.74โฌ1.48
25.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.97โฌ2.53
$3.01โฌ2.57
-1.33%
Eggs
$4.14โฌ3.53
$3.96โฌ3.38
4.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.95โฌ21.29
$22.15โฌ18.89
12.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.45โฌ12.32
$13.00โฌ11.09
11.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.90โฌ15.27
$24.18โฌ20.63
-25.97%
Apples(1kg)
$3.38โฌ2.88
$3.71โฌ3.17
-8.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.94โฌ2.51
$2.18โฌ1.86
34.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.17โฌ2.71
$2.40โฌ2.05
32.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.58โฌ3.06
$3.28โฌ2.80
9.15%
Potato(1kg)
$2.79โฌ2.38
$1.91โฌ1.63
46.07%
Onion(1kg)
$3.27โฌ2.79
$2.11โฌ1.80
54.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.81โฌ1.55
$1.59โฌ1.36
13.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95โฌ0.81
$0.68โฌ0.58
39.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.03โฌ12.82
$13.46โฌ11.48
11.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.80โฌ7.50
$9.02โฌ7.70
-2.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.05โฌ3.45
$2.35โฌ2.01
72.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06โฌ2.61
$4.48โฌ3.82
-31.70%
๐ Getting Around
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.12โฌ1.81
$2.32โฌ1.98
-8.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.7โฌ54.3
$49.15โฌ41.92
29.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.06โฌ2.61
$4.70โฌ4.01
-34.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33โฌ1.13
$1.90โฌ1.62
-30.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.76โฌ34.77
$31.85โฌ27.17
27.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06โฌ1.76
$2.09โฌ1.78
-1.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1Kโฌ31.7K
$36.9Kโฌ31.5K
0.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.4Kโฌ34.4K
$38.0Kโฌ32.4K
6.27%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187โฌ160
$198โฌ168
-5.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.43โฌ19.13
$23.33โฌ19.90
-3.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.69โฌ30.45
$28.39โฌ24.21
25.71%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.01โฌ34.13
$36.63โฌ31.24
9.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.24โฌ22.38
$18.45โฌ15.74
42.22%
Cinema Ticket
$13.73โฌ11.72
$10.57โฌ9.02
29.90%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$859โฌ733
$571โฌ487
50.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.2Kโฌ15.5K
$8,459โฌ7,216
114.69%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$124โฌ106
$90.9โฌ77.6
36.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.74โฌ42.43
$36.15โฌ30.84
37.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$129โฌ110
$86.7โฌ74.0
48.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$164โฌ140
$104โฌ88.9
57.51%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849โฌ724
$771โฌ658
10.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$704โฌ600
$597โฌ509
17.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,559โฌ1,329
$1,229โฌ1,049
26.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,174โฌ1,001
$910โฌ776
28.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,267โฌ5,346
$4,209โฌ3,590
48.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,593โฌ3,065
$3,022โฌ2,578
18.87%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Toulouse
Melun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,003โฌ2,562
$2,555โฌ2,179
17.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.71
3.69
0.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Toulouse: April 21, 2026
Last update for Melun: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $849 in Toulouse and $771 in Melun. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐToulouse pays 18% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $69 in Toulouse vs $55 in Melun for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $408 vs $385 per month, with Melun 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 Melun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Toulouse and Melun?
Toulouse and Melun differ by about 13% in total monthly costs ($1,985 vs $1,764 including rent). Melun is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Toulouse or Melun?
Toulouse pays 18% 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 Toulouse and Melun?
Rent for a central apartment: $849 in Toulouse versus $771 in Melun. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Toulouse or Melun?
All in, you'll spend $1,985 per month in Toulouse versus $1,764 in Melun โ a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Toulouse and Melun?
A monthly transit pass in Melun runs roughly 30% less than in Toulouse. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,764 in Melun versus $1,985 in Toulouse, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Melun but tight or insufficient in Toulouse. The gap between the two cities makes Melun the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Toulouse and Melun?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Toulouse or Melun safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Toulouse and Melun 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: Toulouse or Melun?
Expats usually find Melun gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 13% less than in Toulouse. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.