Cost of Living in Paris, France

Cost of living in Paris: let’s analyze costs of food, real estate, entertainment, and transport in Paris, France.

Are you considering moving to Paris for your career or to start a business? Check below the data for the cost of living in Paris, France which is a European city and global center for history, arts, fashion, and culture.

cost of living in paris france

Cost of Living in Paris, France

Paris is a major Western European city that features coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a vast and densely populated city that rests on the banks of the River Seine. Paris a world capital for art, fashion, history, and culture. It is famous for landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Paris is one of the most well-known cities in Europe and is famously called “The City of Lights” because it was one of the first cities in the world to have electricity. Paris is also famous for its museums. The largest art museum in the world is the Louvre, which is located within this vast city. Paris also has the famous Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, and the Palace of Versailles.

The French capital is one of the most popular cities for expats to move to because it is a cultural hub for everyone. The city has representation from a variety of countries. From the ordinary to the famous, many people want to experience living in this enthralling city. Paris is an expensive city. The price of services and goods are high whether you are eating out or buying groceries.

Real Estate Rising Costs

One of the most expensive aspects of living in Paris is the real estate market. No matter if you are looking to purchase or rent, the price of real estate is very expensive in the city center. However, Paris is a very well-connected city and allows easy access to the rest of Europe, America, the Mediterranean Sea, and Northern Africa. You can easily catch a plane at the popular Charles de Gaulle International Airport (or Roissy as the locals call it).

Paris is a notoriously expensive city to live in. The cost of living is a lot higher than most other European cities. All of Europe is known to have high tax percentages. You will find that even utilities and gas are expensive in this city.

Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Paris, France below:

The currency in France is the Euro. The conversion rate to the USD is 1 dollar to 0.95 EUR as of December 1, 2024.

If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.

Array
Food Price [EDIT]
1 liter of milk 1.70 USD
1 loaf of bread 2.30 USD
1 kg of tomatoes 3.60 USD
1 kg of chicken 10.00 USD
1 single meal cheap restaurant 19.00 USD
1 single meal high-end restaurant 45.00 USD
1 cappuccino or latte 3.50 USD
1 big pizza delivery 23.00 USD
Real Estate Price [EDIT]
1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month 1,350.00 USD
1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month 110.00 USD
2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month 2,000.00 USD
2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month 160.00 USD
Price per square meter (city center) 11,449.99 USD
Transport Price [EDIT]
1 single ride public transport 2.30 USD
Monthly public transport ticket 90.00 USD
1 km taxi or similar transport app 1.90 USD
1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) 1.90 USD
Toyota Corolla (new) basic version 23,250.00 USD
Salaries Price [EDIT]
Minimum Salary 1,718.00 USD
Average Salary (net) 3,000.00 USD
Extras Price [EDIT]
1 ticket to the movies (adult price) 11.50 USD
High speed internet per month 30.20 USD
1 month gym subscription 54.00 USD

Cost of Living for Students in Paris, France

Paris is a unique and great city for students because it offers top public universities for almost no cost. This is a benefit that both French Nationals and International students make take advantage of. Paris is very invested in education and they spend billions of Euros per year to fund their public universities. This funding means that tuition for the public universities are drastically lower than the prices you would see in the United States. While every public university is different, most of the public universities have tuition fees from 190-620 Euros per academic year. There may also be some costs or fees to apply, but the overall cost of university in Paris is amazingly affordable.

The Universities main language that is used in their education is French, but some may have courses our programs available that offer education in other languages, such as English. If you are taking courses in the local language, French, you may be required to test to prove your proficiency in the language.

Here are some main higher education institutions in Paris, France:

The American University of Paris

Université Paris Diderot

Sorbonne Université

Getting a Job in Paris, France

Paris has an array of different job opportunities as many companies in the business, fashion, and arts disciplines have chosen this city to have an office or headquarter. From the business world to the fashion designers, there are countless job opportunities for everyone. Keep in mind that competition will be very stiff. You will want an excellent resume and valuable experience to make yourself shine.

The main language used is French, which will be essential to living and working in the city. Unless you get a job directly through tourism and even with tourism, expect to have to learn at minimum a conversational fluency in French. You may work with tourists who speak English, but your boss may only speak French. However, because Paris is a world hub, you may find a job where knowing a foreign language can give you and edge.

If you are a citizen of France, you can start applying for jobs in Paris immediately. You won’t have to wait for any extra papers. If you are moving from abroad, remember that France has their own work visa that you will have to apply and be approved for before you can begin working in the country.

Here are some websites for job hunting in Paris:

Jobs in Paris

Glassdoor

Indeed

Quality of Life in Paris

It is safe to say that the quality of life in Paris is high. The city is full of beautiful architecture, museums, landmarks, and streets. You can take a walk along the famous River Seine or have a picnic in the Champ de Mars, which rests at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. You will find that this city is packed full of stunning history, arts, and culture. From the famous streets like the Champs-Élysées or the Rue Saint Honoré, Paris delivers in entertainment.

paris france bridge

Paris is a safe city, though there are parts that may be more insecure. The police to their job to ensure the city and civilians stay safe, but you should still take caution. There is petty crime and one of the most targeted areas is on public transportation, specifically the Paris Métro. It is best to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.

The climate varies by season. In the summer, Paris tends to not get baking hot. It stays in the upper 70s (Fahrenheit). In the winter, Paris can get very cold. The normal average is above freezing, but with wind it may not always feel as warm as the temperature gauge says. However, there are always years or periods of time where the weather can become extreme and one winter may be harsher than the previous years’ experience. It is best to have a four-season wardrobe ready.

Other Resources for Travelers and Expats

Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.

Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.

Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.