Cost of Living: Marseille vs Perth (2026)

France vs Australia — relocation comparison

TL;DRMarseille is 50% cheaper on rent ($902/mo vs $1821/mo). Perth is safer — homicide rate 0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k. Both countries will let you complain about the government in public — and mean it.
76
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Marseille
France
Full profile
66
Livability Score
🇦🇺 Perth
Australia
Full profile
Marseille scores 76 to Perth's 66 on livability — the gap is real. Perth has its charms, but the numbers favor Marseille.
💰
Cost of Living
Marseille
$919/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Perth
0.8 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Perth
8.7/10 EIU index
🗣️
English
Perth
higher proficiency score
Marseille
Metric
Perth
$902/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1821/mo
$700/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$428/mo
$3,775
🧳
Cost to land
$11,432
1.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.8 / 100k
67 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
27°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
9°C
169 Mbps
Internet speed
8.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.7 / 10
High (60/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (95/100)
$63k
💼
GDP per capita
$72k
2.0%
📈
Inflation
3.2%
76 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
66 / 100
93/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
90/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

478
PISA
country avg
497
21
Intl schools
1
Yes (French)
Public school
Extensive pediatric network; PMI clinics free for children under 6
Pediatric care
2–6 weeks
Specialist wait
$832/mo
Childcare
full-day
$2347/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
logisticstourismmaritimetech
Industries
nascent
Startup ecosystem
93/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Easy
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Your partner can also work
Spouse works

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 50% cheaper in Marseille ($902/mo vs $1821/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Perth (29°C vs 27°C).
  • Perth is safer by homicide rate (0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k).
  • Perth scores higher on democracy (8.7 vs 8.1 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Perth (95/100 vs 60/100 English proficiency).

Marseille vs Perth — Common Questions

Is Marseille cheaper than Perth?

Marseille is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $902/month in Marseille vs $1821/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Marseille or Perth?

Perth is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Marseille has a rate of 1.56 per 100,000 and Perth has 0.83 per 100,000.

Should I move to Marseille or Perth?

Marseille scores 76 to Perth's 66 on livability — the gap is real. Perth has its charms, but the numbers favor Marseille. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Marseille or Perth?

Marseille: France Talent Passport (complex process, Up to 4 years). Perth: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Can I live in Marseille or Perth without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Perth (EF EPI score: 95/100) than in Marseille (60/100). In Perth, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Marseille, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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