Living in Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is one of the France destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Bordeaux city center rents for around €2,300/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages €1,600/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about €460 for groceries (single person) and €89 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Bordeaux scores 112, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Bordeaux starts at roughly €2,849/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost €36 for a mid-range meal and €3 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around €6. Owning a car adds approximately €630/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Bordeaux skip this in favour of public transport or the €89/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
France offers a public healthcare system that residents access through social security contributions. Private health insurance for a single expat in Bordeaux costs around €99/month, with a family plan at €300. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about €82, while specialists charge around €150. Families should budget €2,000/month for international schooling, or €1,100/month for a local private school.
Who does Bordeaux suit best?
Bordeaux works especially well for senior professionals and families who can absorb top-tier European rent in exchange for infrastructure.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.