Nice and Montpellier are two of the most searched cities for anyone moving to France, and if you are stuck between them, this guide helps fill in the gaps. We break down the cost of living in France for expats in both cities, renting in France and what a one or two bedroom actually costs, buying property in France per square meter, the weather, the beaches, transit, the social scene, and how easy each one is to reach from Paris.
Here is everything we compare in this side by side guide to living in Nice and Montpellier, France:
*Chapters:*
0:00 Intro
0:59 Locations and Departments
1:54 Housing Rentals Nice vs Montpellier
2:35 Housing Purchase Nice vs Montpellier
3:32 Who Lives in Nice & Montpellier
4:38 Retire in Nice or Montpellier?
5:11 Weather in Nice & Montpellier
6:14 Geography Comparison
7:23 Transit in Nice & Montpellier
7:54 Travel Beyond Nice & Montpellier
8:25 Healthcare
8:59 Safety in Nice & Montpellier
9:33 Surprise Number 1
10:08 Surprise Number 2
10:57 Cuisine – Nissarde & Montpellier
12:29 Art & Culture
13:27 Which City is Right For You?
14:24 Finding Work in Nice & Montpellier
14:44 New Video Comparison Format
Whether you are drawn to the sea and the Italian border or the student energy and the lower rents, the right call comes down to what you want your daily life to feel like. If you are comparing the best cities in France for outdoor living, weighing visas for moving to France from the US, or just trying to figure out which southern city fits your budget, this side by side gives you the real cost of living in Nice and Montpellier so you can decide with confidence.
📥 *GRAB THE FREE FRANCE RELOCATION GUIDE* I created a free guide to help you plan your relocation — covering the basics for your big move. Plus sign up for future scouting trip opportunities! 👉https://storybooklivingfrance.kit.com/7eb86bf653
Or *subscribe* below to also access a free France City Match tool! You get the free guide plus access to the brand new tool to test out!
🇫🇷 *FIND YOUR FRENCH CITY*
Wondering which French city fits your budget, your weather, and the life you want? I built these to help you find out, with real data instead of guesswork.
▸ *FREE City Finder + 2026 Relocation Guide*
Your top 3 cities in under 5 minutes:
https://storybooklivingfr.gumroad.com/l/francecitymatch
▸ *The Full 58-City Finder + 60+ Page City Guide*
Every city, with cost of living, climate, healthcare, and lifestyle:
https://storybooklivingfr.gumroad.com/l/francecitycomplete
▸ *France Budget Match*
See what your month would really cost in your top 3 cities:
https://storybooklivingfr.gumroad.com/l/francebudgetmatch
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📍 Note: Data and currency conversions are subject to change. Always check the latest information before making relocation decisions
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*Facebook Group: Expats move to France (Highly valuable resource):* https://www.facebook.com/groups/23814372316
*Links mentioned in the video:*
https://www.doctolib.fr/
▶️ *WATCH NEXT:*
*Montpellier Part 1*: https://youtu.be/XSBEJoGfl7Y
*Montpellier Part 2*: https://youtu.be/UFxksRrn8dk
*Besançon Part 1*: https://youtu.be/ffchGUc2VTY
*Besançon Part 2*: https://youtu.be/L2buWV2UEvI
*Annecy Part 1*: https://youtu.be/DZLa1qVLl0g
*Annecy Part 2*: https://youtu.be/wpHPRgHU3cw
*Limoges Part 1:* https://youtu.be/v1j392TGYMA
*Limoges Part 2:* https://youtu.be/FqS-pun8egY
*Baguette Bound Channel:* (For tons of French Info!): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaeSuJ1RxJtjQCo_AelQnNQ
*Media, Photo & Image Credits: 🎥:*
*Music:* No.9 “Esther’s Waltz” — Esther Abrami https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOFrldzxeKGG8fTpN5_d75Q
*Master Image Credit Ledger for Storybook Living France* https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eJJ8-83oNqSwuOY5hWqFos8Hbj1e1yK0L6EbMzbrBDQ/edit?usp=sharing
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8 Comments
IT’S HERE!
Find your French city, with real data, not guesswork 🇫🇷
Start free with the City Finder (your top 3 cities in about 5 minutes), then go deeper with the full 58-city finder, the city guide, and the budget tool.
Everything's here 👉 https://storybooklivingfrance.com/
Informative! Helpful comparisons. Thank you!
Excellent comparison, choosing Montpellier is a no brainier, less busy and more affordable wins in my book.
This format works well for these two cities Tia, especially now that Montpellier is on the relocation "radar" for many Americans. Sadly, both places are getting more expensive, with Nice now approaching the very high housing costs that we have here in southern California. They are also both getting much hotter in the summer. The heat wave now sitting over most of Europe will push Montpellier AND Nice in to the 90s for extended periods, with Nice only cooling down to the upper 80s later. Finally, the people of Nice recently elected a member of the far-right UDR as their mayor, so the two cities are now polar opposites politically. This doesn't matter to tourists, but it could if you're an expat.
Great format, Tia, and congrats on rolling out your excellent new City Match finder! 😊🎉
Merci !
I loved this video. These are the cities that I am most interested, but I have come to know that Nice is not affordable enough for my modest budget. I will be a single, solo Senior Citizen and comparisons are wonderful. With Social Security set to be cut by 23% in 2032 (soon), I may not be able to afford Montpellier then. I know someone that thinks Hyeres is her landing spot. Have you been? Do you have any other suggestions for retirees in my situation who care about warmth, sun, good transportation and especially health care infrastructure?
Thank you so much for making this (and your other videos).
Good info. Okease stop currency conversion! Amd ditch background music, its dusteacts from your content😮