✦ Cost of living
Marseille
Marseille, France
US = 100
In plain terms: Marseille is about 3% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $800/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing95−5%
- Food & groceries105+5%
- Transport76−24%
- Utilities110+10%
- Healthcare82−18%
- Goods & services105+5%
Good to know before you move to Marseille
France's oldest and second-largest city — a sunny, diverse Mediterranean port with a gritty edge, cheaper than Paris or Nice. Turquoise calanques on its doorstep and a fierce local identity make up for rougher infrastructure.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- French
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 52/100
- Climate
- ❄ 9°C · ☀ 24°C · 300 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- E · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Le Panier · Vieux-Port · Cours Julien · La Plaine
About
“Gateway to the Mediterranean”
France's oldest and second-largest city — a sunny, diverse Mediterranean port with a gritty edge, cheaper than Paris or Nice. Turquoise calanques on its doorstep and a fierce local identity make up for rougher infrastructure.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- French
- Coordinates
- 43.30, 5.37
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
20%
VAT / sales
22%
Social (employee)
25%
Corporate
30%
Capital gains
$2,600
Avg net salary
per month
Plus high social charges.
Visas & residency
Talent Passport for skilled workers, founders and researchers.
✈ Schengen: 90/180 days visa-free for many passports.
Skilled workers, founders, investors.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
52/100
Healthcare
84/100
Pollution
46/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
+9 °C
Jul avg
+24 °C
Sunny days
300/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
70/100
Family-friendly
66/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 20
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
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? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Marseille, FR?
Marseille, FR's cost-of-living index is 97 (US average = 100) — about 3% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $800 per month.
What are the average living costs in Marseille, FR?
Living costs in Marseille, FR are about 3% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 97 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $800. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Marseille, FR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $800 per month, and around $620 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in France?
France has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 20%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Marseille, FR?
Marseille, FR averages around +9 °C in January and +24 °C in July, with roughly 300 sunny days a year.
Is Marseille, FR safe?
Marseille, FR scores 52 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.