Cost of Living in France for Indian Students 2026

France, as a country, needs no introduction. People know the country and also know that it is one of the most expensive countries to stay in. But if we were to look at the country from a student’s point of view…then how costly is it? Read the article to gain insight into the cost of living in France.

Nothing too extravagant but yes, France is a tad more expensive than other European countries like Germany and Italy. Comparing it to the UK and the USA, well, it’s cheaper but just. As a student, there are many costs that would affect your day-to-day costs. The cost of living in France is not the same across its different cities. For example, Toulouse and Lyon are more affordable cities to live in than Paris. Paris is the costliest city in France for students. 

The average cost of living in France in cities like Lyon and Toulouse may range from €600 to €800, including rent, food, transportation and other costs. While cost of living in Paris goes from €1,200 to €1,400+, where the biggest expense is the accommodation’s rent. This article presents details on the cost of living in France for international students in 2026.

Cost of Living in France for Indian Students in 2026

There are many factors which would decide how much would international students have to spend to live in France or what would be the cost of living in France. Your choice of accommodation, its location and your lifestyle would majorly decide how much would you have to spend on living. France as a country is basically towards the expensive side as compared to other top study-abroad destinations, making it difficult for many students to afford it. But the good part is that many scholarships and part-time job opportunities for students exist which can ease your burden with regard to your overall stay over there.

It is always a good idea to choose a shared accommodation so that the rent is shared by another person or persons. Also, cooking your meals yourself can save your spending from moving towards the higher side. Eating at restaurants or high-end cafes can be done once every one or two months, depending upon your budget. Avoiding frequent outside food will not only keep you healthy but will also help you save money.

These, as mentioned, are only indicative costs and give a fair enough idea of the average. What is important to note, however, is that the bigger the city, the higher the cost of living abroad! For instance, rentals in Paris are almost twice as much as the country average at about €928 per month for a single room accommodation. The city averages at about €180 per month for basic utilities and recreation costs way more - after all, there is so much to see and do in a city like Paris.

Cost of Transportation in France

Students in France have various options when it comes to commuting. They can opt for buses or coaches, trains, taxis, etc. depending upon their budget. The most budget-friendly option would be a bus as it charges the least of the many options available and also offers certain discounts to students travelling. Many universities and colleges have offices of transport companies inside their campuses where students can register for yearly or monthly passes once their session begins. 

Public Transport: If you're a student aged 26 or below you are eligible for special transport costs while subscribing to public conveyance. You will be required to show your student ID for the same. Students residing in Île-de-France or the Paris region can make use of the Imagine'R card. This card allows them to take unlimited buses, metro, RER trains and trams rides across all the regions of Île-de-France (1 to 5). They will have to shell out less than 392.30 euros yearly. Another special pass called the Ticket Jeune is for the same age group but is valid for 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, or any band holiday. With this students can commute freely within a limited area for only four euros.

Students can also travel by coaches which are affordable in comparison to trains and offer facilities such as Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seats, and electric sockets for charging purposes. Another option is the self-service bicycle rental scheme which exists in the majority of the big cities of France. Students living outside their college campus can subscribe for the same annually by paying an average of 15-30 euros. 

Cost of Living in French Universities in 2026 (University Dorms)

The table below lists the monthly university accommodation/on-campus housing rent for students at different renowned French institutions.

City-Wise Cost of Living in France

The rates also vary if you are looking at city centre properties or are willing for accommodation in the suburbs. Also, three-bedroom accommodation, if taken on sharing basis, would cost a student much less. Also, campus accommodation, again, would be cheaper as well and a great place for students to explore. It’s all about finding your balance. Here’s a comparative look at the top student cities in France and their monthly average expenses.

Related Blog: Most Expensive City in the world for Students

Scholarships to Aid the Cost of Living in France

Some prestigious scholarships in France, provided either by the universities, the French government or external agencies, cover not just the tuition but the living costs for students as well. Some scholarships even come with a stipend for the purpose. Here are the most desired French scholarships for students to study in France-

1. Charpak Scholarships
2. Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
3. Emile-Boutmy Scholarship
4. Université de Lyon Masters Scholarships
5. HEC Scholarships

There are several more of such scholarships. For more information on French scholarships, do visit our dedicated page for the same. 

How Students manage to live in Paris with its high Cost of Living?

Ever thought - "How do students manage to live comfortably in Paris despite its high cost of living"? Even though Paris is the costliest city to live in France, with its accommodation part occupying the highest share in the monthly expenses, living costs for students can still be affordable. The indicated cost of living in this article includes average figures and these costs may be lower for living in cities like Lyon and Grenoble or higher for living in Paris. However, students can still be able to manage their living quite affordably by renting shared apartments, or seeking the government's support in reducing the rents by means of contacting government agencies like Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF). Shared rents and monthly utility bills like that of food, internet, water, cooling and heating can significantly reduce overall cost of living per head for students. 

As is evident, leaving aside Paris, all the famous cities have a cost of living closer to the country's average. This again would vary from region to region and as a student, you are sure to find an optimal solution. The only advice we wish to furnish at this point is that when planning, keep these figures at the basic. Optimizing would happen later but when planning, it would be wise to keep these figures in mind as the very basic.