The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is now the second most expensive city with the rise in the cost of living.
One in five people lives below the poverty line in the azure capital, which is about 78,000 inhabitants. Despite the effort undertaken since 2019 by the Metropolis in allocating housing to the most vulnerable people, Nice is the 5th poorest city in France after Paris, Marseille, Lille, and Montpellier.
In 2023, the cost of living in Nice is 12% higher than the French average. The rental cost in the city center is, for example, around €1900/month compared to an average of €1471 in France, which is over 30% higher.
It should be noted that the municipality has introduced this year a “energy voucher” of €250 aimed at the most vulnerable households to ease the burden of gas and electricity bills this winter.
And for students
The cost of student living is also higher in Nice, after Paris, with an increase of 4.64% in 2023. Rent prices rise every year. In 2023, the average rent for a studio ranges between €650 and €730 per month, which is 16% to 28% more compared to the French average.
As a slight compensation, students benefit from an annual Ligne Azur transport pass at an attractive price, about 35% cheaper compared to the average of the most expensive transport subscriptions (Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Marseille).
Nice second most expensive city also in terms of real estate acquisition.
Although since 2021, the Nice metropolis has made homeownership a major focus of its housing policy by offering first-time buyers housing at controlled costs, the City of Angels has recorded a 7.1% increase in its rates for 2023.
Real estate prices in Nice are therefore at their highest: €5,292/m² on average and up to €10,000/m² in certain neighborhoods (notably Mont Boron).
Yet, despite the municipality’s choice not to increase property tax this year and to encourage numerous real estate programs and neighborhood requalifications, Nice thus sadly takes the second place in the ranking of the most expensive metropolises in France, behind Paris.
