# French student cost of living and housing crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/french-student-cost-of-living-and-housing-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-06T03:14:17.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 4. The cost of living for students in France has reached a critical point, with average monthly out-of-pocket expenses rising to 1,300 euros. This marks the first time monthly costs have exceeded the national poverty threshold. Paris remains the most expensive location, with monthly costs averaging 1,618.41 euros, while cities like Limoges and Pau are among the most affordable. As the 2026 academic year begins, an acute housing crisis persists. Despite a 4% increase in supply, the market remains structurally undersupplied. Rental listings face extreme competition; some advertisements have attracted as many as 1,638 inquiries in a single week. Over 70% of students report high levels of anxiety regarding the search process, often forcing them to accept substandard accommodations. New data from the student union FAGE indicates that for a non-scholarship undergraduate, the total cost of starting the year and maintaining daily life now exceeds 3,200 euros, a more than 25% increase over the last six years. Housing remains the primary burden, with average monthly costs rising to 637 euros. FAGE president Suzanne Nijdam noted that budget pressure has expanded from one-time enrollment fees to the entirety of daily student life, impacting mental health. Financial strain is particularly acute in specialized fields. The Union nationale des étudiants en chirurgie-dentaire (UNECD) reports that non-scholarship dental students entering their second year face average costs of 4,042.73 euros, driven by monthly housing averages of 686.42 euros and approximately 800.11 euros for specialized equipment. Additionally, the Association nationale des étudiants en médecine et en maïeutique (Anemf) highlights extreme costs for medical students, with those in the PASS track facing estimated costs of 9,597 euros, partly due to a reliance on expensive private preparatory organizations. FAGE has criticized certain mandatory equipment costs, such as those in dentistry, labeling them ‘illegal fees’ and demanding state support. ## Claims - Seven out of ten students consider searching for housing a source of anxiety. (single source) - More than 3 million students were enrolled in higher education during the 2025-2026 period. (single source) - In Paris, some highly sought-after housing advertisements received 727 contacts. (single source) - One specific studio advertisement received 1,638 inquiries within a single week in Paris. (single source) - The housing supply increased by 4% in 2026. (single source) - The 2018 plan to provide 60,000 student housing units failed to meet its objectives. (single source) - Non-scholarship students do not receive priority for Crous dormitory rooms. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Medical and dental student costs rise in France Medical and dental students in France face rising academic costs, with dental students spending over €4,000 and medical students in the PASS track reaching nearly €9,600 due to inflation and private prep fees. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medical-and-dental-student-costs-rise-in-france ### 2026-09-03: Student living costs in France reach record highs for 2026 The cost of the 2026 academic year in France has hit a record high, with non-scholarship students facing expenses exceeding 3,200 euros due to rising housing and living costs. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/student-living-costs-in-france-reach-record-highs-for-2026 ### 2026-08-31: France faces acute student housing crisis in Paris A severe student housing shortage is impacting France, especially in Paris, where extreme competition and high demand leave many students struggling to find affordable, quality accommodation. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-student-housing-crisis-intensifies-in-paris ### 2026-08-17: Student cost of living in France reaches 1,300 euros monthly A Unef study reveals that the monthly cost of living for students in France has risen to 1,300 euros, surpassing the poverty threshold due to increased housing and transport expenses. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-civil-servants-protest-new-public-university-fees --- Cite as: French student cost of living and housing crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/french-student-cost-of-living-and-housing-crisis