France has never been a more popular destination for Americans.
The number of Americans moving to France has tripled from before the pandemic, 2023 immigration data shows. And for the second year in a row, more Americans received first-time French residency cards than Britons, according to provisional immigration figures for 2023.
“I’ve seen a big rise in the number of Americans moving to France in the last few years, I would say since Covid the increase has been huge,” Benjamin Pik, an accountant at Expand CPA, which specialises in helping US expats and businesses in France, told The Connexion.
Many Americans are drawn by the lifestyle and culture of France, as well as “sometimes more favourable economic conditions compared to the US” said Mr Pik.
The two main types of Americans he sees moving to France are retired people, because the tax conditions are very good, and young people, who are usually working remotely for US companies.
Some 153,000 Americans live in France according to US government data but do they find life more affordable?
“Usually, costs are lower for Americans in France, especially if we go outside big cities like Paris,” said accountant Mr Pik.
“Healthcare is free, education is free, daily living expenses are more affordable.”
Read more: How many Americans live in France - and how many Britons?
How much money do you need to live in France?
This is the million dollar question, and of course depends on what kind of lifestyle you want once you are settled.
French government agency Onpes estimated a single person needs €1,634 and a couple €2,540 to live a “decent life”. The data covered areas such as rent, transport, clothing and social life.
Economist Pierre Conialdi, who compiled the data, said spending on ‘social life’ can weigh the heaviest on household spending.
This includes holidays, cultural outings and restaurants, all of which have seen price rises over the past eight years, according to the data.
Read more: How much money do you need for a ‘decent life’ in France?
Retiring to France
One retiree who swapped the US for France was Janice Deerwester, 72, who moved to Fontainebleau, near Paris, in 2022. Overall, she has found life is more affordable in France.
“On a set income, I can afford to live here with some luxuries such as travelling due to the trains, and that much needed mani/pedi (manicure/pedicure),” she said.
Like many Americans who move to France, Ms Deerwester has noticed healthcare, doctors visits and medicines are much cheaper than in the US. And it is cheaper to take her dog to the vet in France.
She pays €1,305 ($1,442) a month to rent a two bedroom apartment with a separate utility room. “All my utilities are included, but there is only one bathroom,” she said.
In the US – she moved from Georgia – she would be paying “anywhere from $1,800 to $3,400” for a similar area near a big city and while this would be for a place with about 400 more square feet, it would not include utilities.
“I would be paying for my electricity which is quite high in the summertime due to air-conditioning. My electric bill would be around $120 on a good month,” she said.
Ms Deerwester said mobile phone costs are much lower in France, as are transport costs, because she does not own a car and travels by public transport.
She has also discovered food in France is more affordable than in the US and fresh produce more readily available.
“The food is not only cheaper here, it is not full of processed ingredients that are impossible to pronounce,” she said.
However, restaurant prices are about “equal”. The one major thing she has noticed is more expensive in France is clothing. “It is much more expensive than in the States,” she said.
Going home?
But France is certainly not as reasonable as some newcomers assume it will be.
“Cost of living is a consideration for those interested in moving from the US. Anyone would agree it’s cheaper in France… but not that cheap,” said Deborah Bine, 78, who moved from the southern US to Uzès, in the Gard department of France in 2012 and chronicles her French life on her blog, Barefoot Blogger.
She has known several Americans who have moved to France but have ended up returning to the US.
“The ones who go are generally women who think they can live on US social security in France. For too many, it doesn’t work out and they return to the US,” she said.
Have you found France to be cheaper than the US? Has anything surprised you about the cost of living in France? Share your views at feedback@connexionfrance.com
