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City Profile

Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

France · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Grasse Custom Comparison
57
Overall Score

Grasse is widely celebrated as the world's capital of perfume, nestled in the scenic hills overlooking the French Riviera. Steeped in history dating back to the Middle Ages, the city combines medieval charm with a thriving global fragrance industry recognized by UNESCO. People are drawn here for its picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and proximity to Cannes and Nice without the exorbitant coastal price tag.

About Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) is a region in southeastern France known for its diverse landscapes, from the Mediterranean coastline of the French Riviera to the Southern Alps. The economy is heavily driven by tourism, but also boasts strong sectors in technology, such as microelectronics and biotechnology, as well as aerospace, marine technology, cosmetics, and the food industry. Living in PACA generally offers a desirable lifestyle with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, and a relaxed pace of life. However, the cost of living is higher than the French national average, particularly along the coast, with average monthly costs for a single person around $2,138 including rent.

48,500
Population
$38K
Avg Salary
85
Cost Index
56.5
Quality Score
How this 57/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 74 / 100 74.0 30% 22.2
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 85.0 62.5 25% 15.6
Economy & jobs Median household income: $39,000 Income needed to live here: $35,000 Unemployment rate: 8.5% 29.0 20% 5.8
Growth Population growth rate: 0.5% Job growth rate: 1.2% 40.8 15% 6.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 56.5

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (ungrounded) (q=55, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 17 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
76
Affordability
70
Growth
69

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Grasse is moderately high compared to the French national average, largely driven by its desirable location in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. While housing and dining are more affordable here than in neighboring coastal hotspots like Cannes or Monaco, everyday expenses still reflect the affluent nature of the Riviera. Residents benefit from locally produced goods and regional markets, which help temper grocery and dining costs.

Average Rent
$950/mo
Groceries
$400/mo
Transport
$90/mo
Utilities
$180/mo
Healthcare
$200/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$45.00
Cinema ticket
$12.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$22.00
Monthly groceries
$400.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$30.00

Income

Salary Insights

Grasse's economy is heavily anchored by the fragrance, flavor, and cosmetic industries, hosting historic fragrance houses like Fragonard, Molinard, and international suppliers. Tourism also plays a vital role in employment, alongside light manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare services. While high-paying corporate roles can be scarce locally, the rise of remote work has allowed professionals to live in Grasse while maintaining careers across the broader region.

The average salary in Grasse is $38,000 per year. You would need approximately $35,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Healthcare and Social Services +2.00% Tourism and Hospitality +1.80% Retail and Commerce +1.00% Agriculture and Floriculture +0.50% Perfumery and Fragrance +2.20%

Weather

Climate

🌡️
15°C
Avg Temp
☀️
29°C
Summer High
❄️
5°C
Winter Low
🌧️
40.90"
Annual Rain
💧
62.00%
Humidity
🌤️
272
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Grasse relies heavily on cars, especially for navigating the winding hill roads and surrounding countryside. The city is served by regional bus networks and the Gare de Grasse, offering direct rail connections to Cannes and Nice. While the medieval center is best explored on foot, public transit scores are modest for outer residential zones.

32 min
Avg Commute
45.00/10
Transit Score
55.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
World-renowned capital of perfume offering a unique cultural and industrial heritage recognized by UNESCO.
Significantly more affordable housing options compared to immediate coastal neighbors like Cannes and Nice.
Stunning natural setting combining proximity to the Mediterranean Sea with the scenic hills of the French Prealps.
Rich culinary and market scene featuring authentic Provençal products, wines, and local dining.
Direct rail connectivity to major Riviera hubs via the local SNCF station.
Drawbacks
Steep, winding streets and hillside geography result in high car dependency outside the historic center.
Local job market is relatively narrow, heavily concentrated in perfumery, tourism, and services.
Summer tourist influx can create congestion in historic quarters and scenic viewpoints.
Property renovation costs in the medieval center can be high due to historic preservation rules.
Public transportation outside peak hours and main rail lines can be infrequent.

Head to Head

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Vitrolles
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Community Q&A

Questions about Grasse

What people ask about living in and moving to Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

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Gathering the most common questions about Grasse…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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