Mont-de-Marsan sits at an elevation of 45 meters in the Europe/Paris timezone, enjoying a subtropical climate. The city has a population of around 32,000. Expats tend to settle in the Center-ville and Saint-Jean-de-Marsan neighborhoods, though the overall expat community is very few and English proficiency is limited.
Living costs are modest. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for $561/mo, while outside the center it is $393/mo. For a three-bedroom, expect $841/mo in the center and $673/mo outside. Monthly utilities run $219/mo, internet $33/mo, and a mobile phone plan $14/mo. A single adult's budget tier total including rent is $766/mo, mid-range $1,096/mo, and comfortable $1,464/mo. Excluding rent, a single person's monthly cost is $940/mo; a family of four spends $3,100/mo. Eating out is affordable: an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $17, a three-course meal for two $50, and a cappuccino $4. The cost of living index is 60 out of 100 (New York City = 100).
Safety is strong, with a safety index of 78/100 and a crime index of 22/100 (lower is safer). Healthcare quality is rated as Good, and the air quality index is a low 35.
For longer stays, France offers the Long-Stay Visitor Visa requiring a minimum monthly income of $1,500/mo, and the Digital Nomad Visa requiring $5,000/mo. The nearest airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac (IATA: BOD), 106 km away. With an overall expat score of 73/100, a FIRE score of 75/100, a retiree score of 66/100, and a digital nomad score of 66/100, Mont-de-Marsan suits those seeking a low-cost, safe, and quiet base in southwestern France.