Skyline of Rouen
Cost of Living: 88 112,000

Rouen, France

The historic capital of Normandy with a magnificent Gothic cathedral, medieval half-timbered streets, and Joan of Arc history.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs France Avg (100)

Housing Index 92

Affordable

Median Income €30,000

Household income

Unemployment 8.5%

Job market health

Rouen vs France Average

Cost of Living
Rouen: 88
France Avg: 100
Housing Index
Rouen: 92
France Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Rouen: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €30,000
  • Unemployment: 8.5%
  • Population: 112,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 172/year
  • Summer High: 76°F
  • Winter Low: 35°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: €220,000
  • 1BR Rent: €620/mo

Cost of Living

Rouen's cost of living index is 88 (France average = 100).

CategoryRouenNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing92100-8.0%

Data source: INSEE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€220,000
Median Rent (1BR)€620/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€775/mo
Price per Sq Ft€146

Data source: SeLoger / MeilleursAgents, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Rouen:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€75Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€35Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€250Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CRE, EDF, Veolia, ARCEP 2025

Remote Work Score

Rouen scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
€620
Sunny Days
172
Tax
30%
Unemployment
8.5%
Climate
76°F / 35°F
Safety
1.3 homicides/100k
Population
112,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Rouen has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January55°F35°F2.5"
April61°F50°F2.8"
July76°F51°F1.5"
October56°F53°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Rouen faces the following natural hazards:

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine region with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding and coastal storm surges.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Mediterranean region (Corsica, Provence) with wildfires.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Alpine and mountainous regions with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

France experiences occasional tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

France experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.8% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 8.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Rouen per 100,000 residents:

697.3
Violent Crime
2,553.8
Property Crime
1.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Academic Year September to July
Term System Trimester — Rentrée (Sep-Dec), Hiver (Jan-Mar), Printemps (Apr-Jul)
Summer Break July to September (8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (2 weeks, zone-based)

France has 3 academic zones that stagger holiday schedules. No school on Wednesdays in many areas.

Universities & Higher Education

4
Universities
#634
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Rouen Normandy University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rouen, France?

The cost of living index in Rouen is 88, which is Lower the France national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Rouen?

The median home price in Rouen is €220,000. The housing index is 92.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rouen is approximately €620/mo.

Does Rouen, NOR have income tax?

Rouen is in NOR, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Rouen?

Rouen enjoys approximately 172 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 76°F, while winter lows can drop to around 35°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INSEE / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: SeLoger / MeilleursAgents, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INSEE Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities CRE, EDF, Veolia, ARCEP 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.