Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in France and Spain, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in France and Spain, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
22 of the 29 items cost less in Spain.
Bottled, convenience store
France: ≈ $0.90 – $1.70 €0.80 – €1.50 Spain: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Cafe or street vendor
France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Spain: ≈ $1.20 – $2.50 €1.10 – €2.20 Draft, at bar or restaurant
France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Spain: ≈ $2 – $5.60 €1.80 – €5.00 Tourist area, main course
France: ≈ $17 – $32 €15 – €28 Spain: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35 Local market or stand
France: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9 Spain: ≈ $3.40 – $9 €3 – €8 Mixed drink, bar
France: ≈ $10 – $16 €9 – €14 Spain: ≈ $9 – $14 €8 – €12 House wine, restaurant
France: ≈ $17 – $28 €15 – €25 Spain: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Cafe or street stall
France: ≈ $3.90 – $6.80 €3.50 – €6.00 Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Standard route
France: ≈ $63 – $73 €56 – €65 Spain: ≈ $34 – $51 €30 – €45 Metered or typical fare
France: ≈ $1.50 – $2.30 €1.30 – €2.00 Spain: ≈ $3.90 – $5.60 €3.50 – €5.00 Single ride
France: ≈ $2.30 – $2.90 €2.05 – €2.55 Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Grab / Bolt / Uber
France: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Spain: ≈ $7 – $14 €6 – €12 Tourist shop
France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Tourist shop
France: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Spain: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
France: ≈ $17 – $56 €15 – €50 Spain: ≈ $11 – $39 €10 – €35 Data package
France: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20 Spain: ≈ $11 – $34 €10 – €30 Pharmacy or shop
France: ≈ $9 – $16 €8 – €14 Spain: ≈ $9 – $18 €8 – €16 Supermarket
France: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Spain: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 €0.40 – €1.00 Pack of 20
France: ≈ $14 – $15 €12.00 – €13.50 Spain: ≈ $5.60 – $7.90 €5 – €7 Pack of 20 tablets
France: ≈ $2.30 – $5.10 €2.00 – €4.50 Spain: ≈ $0.75 – $2.80 €0.67 – €2.50 Spray or lotion
France: ≈ $6 – $11 €5 – €10 Spain: ≈ $2.80 – $5.60 €2.50 – €5.00 Local barbershop
France: ≈ $20 – $34 €18 – €30 Spain: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Laundry service
France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Standard full-body massage
France: ≈ $56 – $90 €50 – €80 Spain: ≈ $45 – $96 €40 – €85 Basic cut, salon
France: ≈ $34 – $62 €30 – €55 Spain: ≈ $23 – $45 €20 – €40 Entrance ticket
France: ≈ $16 – $36 €14 – €32 Spain: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Organized excursion
France: ≈ $39 – $68 €35 – €60 Spain: ≈ $28 – $68 €25 – €60 Organized excursion 6-8h
France: ≈ $79 – $135 €70 – €120 Spain: ≈ $45 – $90 €40 – €80 Local cuisine cooking class
France: ≈ $100 – $170 €90 – €150 Spain: ≈ $47 – $79 €42 – €70 Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price in France and 2.5× in Spain, close to even.
France 14th lowest of 60
Spain 15th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
France In France service is included in restaurant and café prices by law (service compris), so tipping is never obligatory. Locals simply leave small change or round up, for example a euro or two for a good meal. There is no expectation of a percentage tip as in some countries.
Spain Tipping is not expected in Spain and menu prices already include tax. In casual bars and family restaurants locals just round up or leave a few coins, and 1 to 2 euros per person is plenty. In upscale places check the bill for servicio incluido; if service is not listed, 5 to 10 percent for good service is generous.
Yes. In Spain you pay about 23% less than in France at fair prices. TruePrice Index: France 193, Spain 148 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 22 of the 29 items cost less in Spain.
About the same: roughly $345 in France and $355 in Spain at fair prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $875 in France and $835 in Spain.
In Spain: food and drinks cost about 29% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $17 – $32 in France and $17 – $39 in Spain, street food $6 – $10 and $3.40 – $9.
Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price in France and 2.5× in Spain, close to even. The biggest gaps in France: water 1.5 L (4.1×), water 0.5 L (3.5×), and private transfer (3.4×). The biggest gaps in Spain: water 1.5 L (4.3×), city taxi 1 km (4.1×), and local handcraft (3.8×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, France vs Spain, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/france-vs-spain/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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