In 2020, the average standard of living for farmers in metropolitan France was 27,500 euros. On average, farmers had the same standard of living as the population as a whole, but with a much greater dispersion: the most well‑off 10% of farmers had a standard of living at least 4.5 times higher than that of the 10% with the lowest incomes (compared with a ratio of 3.4 for the population as a whole).

The standard of living rose with the level of education: from 23,800 euros for farmers with little or no formal education, to 37,800 euros for those with higher education. Furthermore, the average standard of living was higher for farmers specializing in crop production than for those specializing in livestock farming. To a lesser extent, the standard of living of farmers also varied with age: from an average of 25,100 euros in 2020 among those aged 40 or less, to 30,400 euros among those aged 61 to 65. The composition of income also differed markedly according to age and educational background.

In 2020, 17.7% of farmers were living below the poverty line, compared with 14.4% of the population as a whole. This poverty rate was higher for farmers living with a spouse working on the farm (21.9%), and lower for farmers also carrying out another paid activity unrelated to the farm (10.5%).