In brief:
- Housing cost in the country is 30 to 50 percent lower than in major cities.
- Transport budget in the country increases on average by 200 to 500 euros per month.
- Remote work has tripled interest in rural areas since 2020.
- Air quality, space and quiet are the 3 most cited assets by neo-rurals.
Country or city: the big trade-off
Country or city: this choice deeply structures daily life, budget and often career. Since the 2020 health crisis, the balance has shifted: 15 percent increase in residential migrations to rural areas.
The 3 typical profiles
- The urban lifestyle attachee: services, outings, transport
- The semi-rural remote worker: balance between nature and connection
- The full neo-rural: assumed break, slow life
Global comparison
| Criterion | City (over 100 000 inhab.) | Country (under 2000 inhab.) |
|---|---|---|
| Average price per sqm | 4500 to 9800 euros | 1200 to 2500 euros |
| Transport | Metro, bus, train | Mandatory car |
| Local shops | Walking | 5 to 20 km away |
| Schools | Numerous | Grouped schools |
| Employment | Diverse | Limited, remote work |
| Air quality | Variable | Good |
| Social ties | Anonymity | Strong community |
Monthly budget comparison
“Savings on country housing are partly absorbed by transport budget increase.” — French National Statistics Institute (INSEE), 2024 lifestyle study
For a couple with 2 children, estimated monthly budget:
- Major city: 1500-2200 euros housing, 150 euros transport
- Mid-sized city: 900-1400 euros housing, 300 euros transport
- Country: 600-900 euros housing, 500 euros transport
Net gap: 300 to 800 euros per month in favor of the country.
Choice criteria
To decide rationally:
- Nature of work (mandatory presence or remote work)
- Ages and needs of children (nursery, schools, teens)
- Available budget and debt tolerance
- Proximity to loved ones (family, friends)
- Tolerance to inconveniences (commutes, isolation, noise)
- 10-year professional perspectives
False good calculations
Common mistakes in this choice:
- Underestimating real cost of daily travel
- Forgetting psychological wear of long commutes
- Not anticipating teenage children’s needs
- Neglecting loneliness or isolation in the country
- Idealizing rural life based on vacation stays
Steps to choose well
- Make an honest list of priorities (max 5 criteria)
- Test target area on several weekends and a week
- Time real commutes (not GPS simulation)
- Meet residents settled on site
- Simulate full real budget (housing + transport + services)
For Ile-de-France, see our where to live in Ile-de-France guide. To arbitrate buy vs rent, see our dedicated comparison. Future buyers find all points in the home buying checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Live in the country or in the city: which is better?
There is no universal best choice. City offers jobs, services and cultural diversity but costs more. Countryside offers space, quiet and lighter budget but often requires a car and limits local services. The right choice depends on lifestyle, budget and family situation.
How much do you save living in the country?
Average housing budget in the country is 30 to 50 percent lower than in major cities. However, transport budget increases by 200 to 500 euros per month (car, fuel, maintenance). Net savings generally range between 300 and 800 euros per month for a household.
Is country living suited for remote work?
Remote work has reshuffled the cards since 2020. About 30 percent of active people on partial remote work consider moving to the countryside. Key criteria: available fiber optic, proximity to a train station (under 30 min), presence of shops under 15 min by car.