🇫🇷 France · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Rouen? 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, Vieux-Rouen, Saint-Marc or Jardin des PlantesEUR 540–760 / month
One-bed flat, Saint-Sever, Sotteville or Petit-QuevillyEUR 440–630 / month
Utilities and internet, one personEUR 110–170 / month
Groceries, one personEUR 235–310 / month
Astuce tram, TEOR and bus pass≈EUR 50 / month full fare, substantially less under 26
Good to know
Population
≈115,000 in the commune; ≈500,000 across the 71 communes of Métropole Rouen Normandie
Languages
French. English is usable in the port, pharmaceutical and insurance sectors, much less so in administration and daily life
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 damp winters, moderate summers, and rain spread across the year rather than concentrated. Grey more often than cold
Driving side
Right
Rent control
None in force — Rouen is a zone tendue but does not apply encadrement des loyers, unlike Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Montpellier and Grenoble
Paris connection
Just over an hour to Paris Saint-Lazare on a good service; the line's reliability is a live local grievance
Some of this may be out of date.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 Rouen checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Rouen
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.