Is 80,000 a good salary in France?

Cost of Living Overview in France

• Average monthly rent (national estimate): $1,100
• Average rent in Paris: $1,900
• Average groceries per month: $370
• Average public transport cost (monthly): $140

Cost of living in France varies by region and city. Major cities and capital areas typically have higher rent and day-to-day expenses, while smaller cities and rural areas are often more affordable. The figures above are based on aggregated public cost-of-living data and represent approximate national and urban averages in USD equivalent. Actual expenses depend on lifestyle, household size, and exact location.

Income Distribution in France

What is the median income in France?

Based on publicly available OECD and World Bank data concepts, median household income in France is often reported in the range of approximately $35,000 (USD equivalent) in comparative statistics. The median is the middle value: half of households earn less and half earn more. It is typically preferred over the average when describing typical income because it is less affected by very high earners.

Difference between median and average income

In France, the average (mean) household income in such datasets is often cited in the vicinity of $42,000 USD equivalent, which is higher than the median when high earners pull the average up. When the mean exceeds the median, it indicates a right-skewed distribution: a minority of households earn well above the typical level. Comparing your own salary to both the median and the average gives a clearer picture of where you stand relative to the middle and to the overall distribution.

Income inequality overview

Income inequality is commonly summarized by the Gini coefficient, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. In comparative datasets, France is often placed in a range around a Gini of 0.32 (or about 32.0 on a 0–100 scale). This places the country within the spectrum of OECD economies; some have lower inequality (e.g. many Nordic countries) and some higher. Inequality affects how far the median and mean diverge and how spread out the income distribution is.

How taxes affect take-home income

Published median and average income figures may be reported before or after tax depending on the source. In France, as in other OECD countries, income tax and social contributions reduce take-home pay to varying degrees. Progressively higher tax rates on higher incomes can narrow the gap between gross and net inequality. When comparing your salary to national statistics, it is useful to check whether the reference data are gross or net; many international comparisons use gross income in a common currency for comparability.

Regional variation

National medians and averages mask regional differences. In France, as elsewhere, capital cities and economic hubs often have higher wages and higher living costs, while other regions may have lower incomes and lower costs. Some statistics are available at the regional or city level from national statistical offices and international databases. For a full picture of affordability, income position should be considered alongside local cost of living.

Comparison with other OECD countries

France can be compared with other OECD countries using median and mean income in a common currency (e.g. USD or PPP-adjusted). Such comparisons show that Nordic and some Western European countries often have relatively high medians and lower inequality, while others have higher dispersion. The figures used in this tool are based on aggregated concepts from OECD and World Bank-style data and are illustrative; they are not real-time and may not match the latest official releases for any single country.

FAQ

Is 80,000 a good salary in France?

Whether 80,000 is a good salary in France depends on your household size and where you live. Compared to the national median income of about $35,000 (USD equivalent), 80,000 is at or above the typical household level. Use the calculator above to see your exact percentile and how you compare to the median and average. Cost of living in major cities is often higher than the national average, so the same salary may feel different in different regions.

What is the median salary in France?

Based on publicly available OECD and World Bank data concepts, the median household income in France is often cited in the range of approximately $35,000 (USD equivalent). The median is the middle value: half of households earn less and half earn more. This figure is illustrative and may not match the latest official national statistics; it is intended for comparative and educational use.

What percentile is middle class in France?

There is no single definition of "middle class" by percentile. In practice, the middle of the income distribution is often thought of as roughly the 40th to 60th percentile—i.e. around the median. In France, as in other countries, households in this range earn close to the national median and are sometimes described as middle-income. Definitions that use multiples of the median (e.g. 0.75–1.25 times the median) are also common in comparative research.

How does France compare to other OECD countries?

In international comparisons using OECD and World Bank-style data, France is typically placed among high-income economies. Its median and average household income (around $35,000 and $42,000 USD equivalent in such datasets) are comparable to other developed countries, though exact rankings depend on the year and methodology. Use the "Compare with other countries" section below to see how your salary would compare in different countries.

Is income inequality high in France?

Income inequality in France is often summarized by the Gini coefficient; in comparative datasets the figure is typically around 32.0 on a 0–100 scale. This places France within the range of OECD countries: some have lower inequality (e.g. many Nordic countries) and some higher. Inequality affects the gap between median and average income and the spread of the distribution. The estimate here is based on aggregated public data concepts and is for illustration only.

Compare with other countries

See how the same salary compares in different countries:

• Australia — 80,000 salary comparison
• Canada — 80,000 salary comparison
• Germany — 80,000 salary comparison
• United Kingdom — 80,000 salary comparison
• United States — 80,000 salary comparison