Cost of Living in Bordeaux (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Bordeaux? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed flat, Saint-Pierre or ChartronsEUR 750–1,050 / month

One-bed flat, Bastide, Bacalan or TalenceEUR 600–850 / month

Utilities and internet, one personEUR 110–170 / month

Groceries, one personEUR 250–330 / month

TBM tram and bus passEUR 50–60 / month, substantially less under 28

Good to know

Population

≈265,000 in the city; ≈820,000 across Bordeaux Métropole

Languages

French. English is common in the technology, aerospace and wine export sectors, less so in administration

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time zone

CET (GMT+1); CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October

Power plug

Type C and E, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Oceanic — mild wet winters, warm summers, and noticeably more rain than the Mediterranean cities

Driving side

Right

Rent control

Encadrement des loyers applies in Bordeaux — landlords may not exceed the published reference rent plus a permitted margin

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Bordeaux checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.