How Much Does It Cost to Live In Bordeaux?
The way from Paris to Bordeaux takes only one hour by air or three hours by train.
Why going to Bordeaux?
This is a cozy picturesque city in the south of France which is often called a small Paris for its architecture and charm.
Of course, Bordeaux is most loved for its wineries and private grog shops.
The nature is as good for winemaking as it is for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming.
Europe’s largest beach Arcachon receives thousands of tourists yearly.
After getting a nice suntan, tourists go to see numerous museums, ancient castles, churches, and galleries.
The cost of living in Bordeaux is relevantly cheap compared to the other cities in France and the EU.
France : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in France
RESTAURANTS
Bordeaux seems to be created for the gourmets of all ages and nationalities.
Of course, wine here is the cheapest beverage so you can just order it instead of juice or coffee.
Many restaurants offer homemade sausages, escalopes, cheese, and fish.
This is all dressed in authentic music, interiors, antique furniture, and paintings.
MARKETS
There are a few really catching eye flea markets where you can buy clothes and antique things.
As for meat, cheese, vegetables, fruits, and other products, think of going to the seashore market which is the largest in the city and always offers fresh products like seafood, crispy pastry, and ready-made meals.
TRANSPORTATION
Travelers and local people prefer renting a car to see the beauties of the city and its suburbs, to stop by the vineyards or go to the sea.
Also, there’s a well-developed system of trams and buses.
A river bus is available at a low price too.
At any time, you can rent a bike and save the world’s ecosystem.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
In Bordeaux, a lot or accommodations still lack the main gas.
They use bottled gas in petrol stations and at the supermarkets to have an opportunity to set it up in your place and be able to cook for a year or so depending on the capacity of a cylinder.
You can pay either for the amount of the gas and water consumed, or the fixed price for utilities.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Bordeaux is good for a number of different sports.
Some of the most popular are swimming, ice skating, hockey, roller skating, and rugby.
Besides, you can spend your leisure time visiting concerts and festivals at the two biggest stadiums in the city.
CLOTHING & SHOES
The longest pedestrian street in the city offers a row of boutiques and small shops where you can find designer clothes and shoes.
The prices here are rather high so if you want to go for cheaper shopping, find chain stores that you are familiar with.
In the malls, you can find casual clothes, socks, trousers and the rest of the stuff you need to create your daily image.
RENT PER MONTH
If you are not the one who loves staying in luxury hotels, hostels or historical places, choose to rent an apartment in the city center or in the suburbs.
Certainly, the prices differ depending on how well the accommodation is furnished, how old is the house, and what home comforts are available there.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Bordeaux
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $14.73 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $45.51 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.59 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.09 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.59 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.63 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.82 |
| Monthly Pass | $37.66 |
| Gasoline | $1.59 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $165.58 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.14 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $31.43 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $31.29 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $20.86 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $11.38 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $91.02 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $38.04 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $94.63 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $659.18 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $527.18 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1468.80 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Bordeaux?
An average person spends most of their money on markets.
The percentage is really high compared to other French cities and makes 38.4%.
The least is given to clothing and shoes, and as much as 4.4% goes to sports and leisure.
Restaurants are an integral part of the city and this is natural that people spend around 15% of their income on eating out.
Lots of tourists and Frenchmen come to Bordeaux on a vacation or a weekend and many of them choose to stay here for a long time.
At that, monthly rent completes 22.6% of the expenditures of an average Bordeaux resident.
Average Costs Breakdown
Bordeaux: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Due to the fact that the cost of living in Bordeaux is 35-40% cheaper than in the capital city of Paris, the average salary is also lower.
An average index can be equated to $1,913.15 per month.
There is also a fixed national minimum wage throughout France and Bordeaux in particular.
The minimum wage is $1,741.8 per month.
To become a homeowner in Bordeaux, you do not necessarily need to buy a house or an apartment.
You can regard an option of taking a housing loan for 20 years and pay out the yearly interest rate of 1.75%.
Bordeaux Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Bordeaux Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Bordeaux
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Grenoble | 78.43 |
| Lille | 67.73 |
| Lyon | 78 |
| Marseille | 64.64 |
| Montpellier | 74.08 |
| Nantes | 72.37 |
| Nice | 75.84 |
| Paris | 84.68 |
| Strasbourg | 75.47 |
| Toulouse | 76.3 |
