🇫🇷 France · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Strasbourg? 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, Grande Île, Krutenau or NeustadtEUR 700–950 / month
One-bed flat, Neudorf, Cronenbourg or SchiltigheimEUR 560–780 / month
Utilities and internet, one personEUR 115–180 / month — the winter here is a real one
Groceries, one personEUR 240–330 / month, less if you shop across the river
CTS tram and bus pass≈EUR 50–55 / month full fare, substantially less under 26
Good to know
Population
≈290,000 in the city; ≈510,000 across the Eurométropole, plus the German conurbation immediately across the Rhine
Languages
French, with German widely spoken and Alsatian still heard. English is standard in the European institutions and the research sector
Currency
Euro (EUR) — the same on both sides of the Rhine
Time zone
CET (GMT+1); CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October — identical to Germany
Power plug
Type C, E and F, 230 V / 50 Hz — German type F sockets appear in cross-border contexts
Climate
Semi-continental and sheltered by the Vosges — cold winters with real frost, hot humid summers, and less rain than most of France
Local law
Droit local alsacien-mosellan applies: two extra public holidays, stricter Sunday closing, the livre foncier land register and a compulsory supplementary health scheme
Rent control
None in force — Strasbourg is a zone tendue but does not apply encadrement des loyers
Some of this may be out of date.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 Strasbourg checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Strasbourg
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.