Moving to Hong Kong from France

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from France to Hong Kong? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from France to Hong Kong, you would find that Hong Kong is 41.5% more expensive than France overall. A €67,000 salary in France would need to be roughly HK$834,000 in Hong Kong to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese and English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Hong Kong averages 79°F vs 60°F in Paris, making it significantly warmer.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between France and Hong Kong.

What does your salary buy?

€67,000 → HK$834,000

To maintain the same standard of living in Hong Kong

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 51.5% less

Groceries

pay 26.7% more

Transportation

pay 50.7% more

Housing

pay 2.2 times more

Childcare

pay 49.8% more

Entertainment and Sports

pay 37.8% more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 8.79 HKD (October 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from France to Hong Kong.

Living there in 2020
2,289 ↑ 4% vs 2015

people born in France live in Hong Kong · UN DESA

Who's moving to Hong Kong?

Top countries of origin for Hong Kong's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Hong Kong compared to France.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

FR
1.3
HK
0.4

Hong Kong performs significantly better than France across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

FR
4.0t
HK
4.6t

France performs better than Hong Kong across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

FR
48.9
HK
40.3
Electricity per capita World Bank, 2024

annual consumption — reflects grid capacity

FR
6,447 kWh
HK
6,359 kWh

France generally does better on infrastructure, though Hong Kong leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

FR
7.5%
HK
2.8%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

FR
$48,986
HK
$56,983

Hong Kong generally does better on employment & economy, though France leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

FR
83.0 yrs
HK
85.4 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

FR
3.4
HK
2.5

Hong Kong generally does better on family life, though France leads in education spending.

Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), The World Factbook (2016–2022), Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (2016), Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (2016). How we calculate this

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Paris Rain: 25.6 in/yr (650 mm)
60° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Hong Kong Rain: 95.7 in/yr (2431 mm)
79° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paris Hong Kong
Jan–Mar 48°/38°F (9°/3°C) 68°/61°F (20°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 65°/50°F (18°/10°C) 83°/75°F (28°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 74°/58°F (23°/14°C) 88°/80°F (31°/27°C)
Oct–Dec 52°/43°F (11°/6°C) 76°/68°F (24°/20°C)
View all months
Month Paris Hong Kong
Jan 44°/36°F (6.9°/2.5°C) 66°/58°F (18.7°/14.6°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.2°/2.8°C) 67°/60°F (19.4°/15.3°C)
Mar 53°/41°F (11.8°/5.1°C) 71°/64°F (21.9°/17.6°C)
Apr 58°/44°F (14.7°/6.8°C) 78°/70°F (25.6°/21.1°C)
May 66°/51°F (19.0°/10.5°C) 84°/76°F (28.8°/24.5°C)
Jun 71°/56°F (21.8°/13.3°C) 87°/80°F (30.7°/26.5°C)
Jul 76°/60°F (24.4°/15.5°C) 89°/80°F (31.6°/26.9°C)
Aug 76°/60°F (24.6°/15.4°C) 88°/80°F (31.3°/26.7°C)
Sep 69°/54°F (20.8°/12.5°C) 87°/79°F (30.5°/26.1°C)
Oct 60°/49°F (15.8°/9.2°C) 83°/75°F (28.1°/23.9°C)
Nov 51°/42°F (10.4°/5.3°C) 76°/69°F (24.5°/20.3°C)
Dec 46°/38°F (7.8°/3.6°C) 69°/61°F (20.4°/16.2°C)

Data: Météo-France Météo-France, Hong Kong Observatory Hong Kong Observatory

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between France and Hong Kong. To live, work, or study long-term in Hong Kong, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Hong Kong's immigration authority.

France passport

France passport holder visiting Hong Kong

Visa Free
France passport holders can enter Hong Kong without a visa.
Hong Kong passport

Hong Kong passport holder visiting France

Visa Free
Hong Kong passport holders can enter France without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Hong Kong than France?

On average Hong Kong is around 42% pricier than France, with notable variation by city.

How much money do I need to move to Hong Kong?

Budget about HK$208,500 for 3 months in Hong Kong (based on a €67,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Hong Kong?

Connectivity is usually fine (Hong Kong: 40.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Hong Kong offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Hong Kong safe for expats?

Hong Kong performs significantly better than France across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Hong Kong is 0.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.3 in France.

What's the weather like in Hong Kong compared to France?

The average high temperature in Hong Kong is 79°F, compared to 60°F in Paris. Hong Kong receives around 95.7 in of rainfall per year, while Paris gets 25.6 in.

What language do they speak in Hong Kong?

The official languages in Hong Kong are Chinese and English. In France, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

FR HK
Population 68,720,337 7,498,900
Currency Euro (€) Hong Kong Dollar (HK$)
Languages French Chinese, English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +33 +852
Time zones 14 1
Emergency number 112 999