Cucuta vs. Toulouse: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Cucuta presents significant challenges regarding safety, reflected in its low Safety Index of 37.01, starkly contrasting with Toulouse's considerably higher index of 50.04. Healthcare quality, measured by the Health Care Index, shows Cucuta at 84.72 and Toulouse at 79.4, suggesting a potential advantage for Cucuta despite the safety concerns. The Climate Index favors Toulouse (91.87) over Cucuta (80.03), indicating a more favorable climate in France. Notably, Cucuta's Property Price to Income Ratio (15.14) is substantially higher than Toulouse's (8.32), implying that housing costs consume a larger proportion of income in Colombia. The Traffic Commute Time Index is considerably worse in Cucuta (47.0) compared to Toulouse (32.16), suggesting longer commutes in Cucuta. Environmental quality, indicated by the lower Pollution Index in Toulouse (36.9) versus Cucuta (63.79), favors the French city.

The overall Cost of Living Index places Toulouse significantly higher at 100 compared to Cucuta's 50. This substantial gap reflects the broader affordability differences between the two cities. While Cucuta offers drastically lower prices for groceries, household items, and public transportation, Toulouse generally commands higher prices across most categories, including food, utilities, and childcare. However, salaries in Toulouse are substantially higher, with an average monthly net salary of $2,892.40 versus $437.29 in Cucuta, aligning more closely with the higher cost of living in France.

For dining out, a mid-range restaurant meal for two people costs approximately $47.70 in Cucuta, significantly less than the $151.94 in Toulouse. Supermarket prices for basic groceries are also lower in Cucuta, such as $1.03 for a loaf of bread versus $4.90 in Toulouse, and $0.93 for a dozen eggs compared to $3.23. Transportation costs reflect this trend, with a monthly local transport pass costing $10.00 in Cucuta versus $66.62 in Toulouse. However, gasoline is more expensive in Toulouse ($3.14/gallon) than in Cucuta ($2.07/gallon). Utilities for an 85m² apartment are much higher in Toulouse ($213.73/month) than in Cucuta ($60.00/month). Childcare is another area where Toulouse is significantly more expensive, with monthly preschool fees around $567.05 versus $105.00 in Cucuta.

Housing costs are vastly different between the two cities. Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $200.00 in Cucuta, a fraction of the $909.80 in Toulouse. The price per square meter for an apartment is also significantly lower in Cucuta ($600.00) compared to Toulouse ($6,080.61). Salaries in Cucuta are substantially lower, reflecting the lower cost of living, but also indicating a different economic landscape compared to Toulouse.

Cucuta's GDP per capita is considerably lower at $18,700 compared to Toulouse's $55,400. Both cities show similar population growth rates (0.20% vs. 0.21%), but Toulouse has a higher GDP growth rate (0.94% vs. 0.00%). The lower Property Price Index in Cucuta (50) versus Toulouse (100) further emphasizes the affordability gap.