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Le Havre, France
Capital City

Follows France Residency Rules. Check Digital Nomad & Retiree Pathways →
Est. Monthly Cost (1 Person)
$1,820
Retiree Score
91.0
Safety Index
55.4
Healthcare
26 facilities

Living in Le Havre means grappling with a heavy tax burden and persistent bureaucratic headaches. The port city of 166,687 people is the second largest in Normandy, but it has struggled to recover from WWII bombings that destroyed 12,000 homes. Brutal winter storms and a high variability of temperatures are the norm, with the absolute wind speed record reaching 112 mph. Still, Le Havre offers amenities like green spaces totaling 750 hectares, an impressive modern art museum, and a UNESCO-listed reconstructed city center. For those seeking an industrial, maritime-focused lifestyle in northern France, Le Havre may be worth considering, but the challenges of living there are not to be underestimated.

Can I afford Le Havre?

$

Le Havre

You could save

1,180/mo

Savings Rate39%

Monthly Costs

Rent $820
Living (Country Average Adjusted)$1,000

Attractiveness Scores

FIRE Score
(i)
39/100
Retiree Score
(i)
91/100
Lifestyle Score
(i)
50/100
💻Nomad Score
(i)
50/100
Meets France Digital Nomad Visa Income Rule.
55
Safety
26
Healthcare
100
Walkability
95
Nomad

Grocery Basket

Milk (1L) $1
Bread (loaf) *$2
Eggs (12) $4
Rice (1kg) *$3
Chicken (1kg) *$14

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Eating Out

Meal (Inexpensive) *$15
Meal (Mid-range) $81
Cappuccino $3
Water (0.33L) *$1

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Utilities & Lifestyle

Utilities (mo) $277
Mobile Plan (mo) $15
Gym (mo) *$28
Cinema Ticket $12

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Housing

1BR Center (mo) $656
1BR Outside (mo) *$556
3BR Center (mo) $1,240
3BR Outside (mo) *$1,000

* Estimated based on regional averages.

🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Limited
Expat Community
Very Few
Top Neighborhoods
Sainte-Adresse
Best For
maritime workers

Expat Life Notes

Modern port rebuilt city. breezy and quiet.

Pros

  • ✓ Port infrastructure
  • ✓ Safe

Cons

  • ✗ Dull sociales scene

🌐 Infrastructure & Lifestyle

Avg Internet
—
Temperature
4°C°C - 21°C°C
Annual Rainfall
1247 mm
Coworking Spaces
—
Best Months to Visit
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Also Consider

Montceau, FranceLiving in Montceau, France offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle in post-industrial Burgundy. Ideal for retirees or FIRE seekers fluent in French.Bastia, FranceLiving in Bastia, France offers Mediterranean port life at lower costs, but requires French skills and tolerance for seasonal crowds. Ideal for EU retirees or dConfederation, CanadaLiving in Confederation, Canada offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle with federal oversight. Ideal for those seeking simplicity but less autonomy.Jidd Ḩafş, BahrainLiving in Jidd Ḩafş offers a quiet, residential vibe just 3 km from Manama, Bahrain. Ideal for expats seeking proximity to the capital without the hustle.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Le Havre

Click any question to expand the answer.

Le Havre has a population of approximately 166,687 people.

A single person can expect to spend around $2,050 per month in Le Havre, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $820/month.

The nearest airport to Le Havre is BVA, approximately 145km away.

Le Havre is considered moderate in terms of safety, with a safety index of 55.4. As with any city abroad, expats should research specific neighborhoods before committing to a location.

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