Cost of Living in Paris

Summary of cost of living in Paris, France:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 18.00 € 12.00-25.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 70.00 € 55.00-100.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 12.00 € 10.00-15.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 7.00 € 5.00-10.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 7.00 € 4.00-9.50
Cappuccino (regular) 4.29 € 2.50-7.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 3.38 € 2.00-5.00
Water (12 oz small bottle) 2.70 € 2.00-4.50
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 5.48 € 3.79-7.57
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.69 € 0.91-3.63
Rice (white), (1 lb) 1.04 € 0.45-1.50
Eggs (regular) (12) 4.55 € 2.40-6.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) 9.39 € 4.08-18.14
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 6.61 € 3.18-9.07
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 10.23 € 5.90-13.61
Apples (1 lb) 1.54 € 0.68-2.04
Banana (1 lb) 1.13 € 0.77-2.27
Oranges (1 lb) 1.56 € 0.68-2.27
Tomato (1 lb) 1.87 € 0.90-2.72
Potato (1 lb) 0.98 € 0.45-1.81
Onion (1 lb) 1.09 € 0.45-1.81
Lettuce (1 head) 1.57 € 1.00-2.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.89 € 0.30-2.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 8.00 € 7.00-10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 2.33 € 1.20-4.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 3.52 € 1.80-6.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 12.00 € 11.50-15.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.10 € 2.00-2.50
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 84.40 € 80.00-86.40
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 6.25 € 2.60-10.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 3.00 € 1.87-6.44
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 46.00 € 32.00-60.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 7.15 € 6.66-7.57
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 30,000.00 € 22,510.00-32,395.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 29,776.67 € 27,590.00-35,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 211.32 € 120.00-350.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 18.58 € 7.99-31.99
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 30.76 € 20.00-40.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 38.48 € 25.00-60.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 16.00 € 10.00-20.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 13.50 € 10.00-16.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 766.25 € 500.00-1,200.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 15,666.67 € 12,000.00-26,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 93.46 € 50.00-130.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 40.75 € 25.00-60.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 98.88 € 60.00-120.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 142.86 € 90.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,421.11 € 1,150.00-2,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 960.25 € 800.00-1,300.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 3,073.28 € 2,400.00-4,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 2,160.19 € 1,500.00-3,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 1,111.23 € 929.02-1,393.53
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 780.96 € 603.86-1,021.92
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 2,850.58 €
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 3.75 3.00-4.34

Prices in Paris

This city had 2386 entries in the past 12 months by 417 different contributors.
Last update: March 2024
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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18 Comments so far
DrJay DrJay on Mar 15, 2024:
Parisians aren't just dikks to Americans; they're like that with EVERYone, including other Frenchmen, esp from the Provinces (not from Paris). The men tend to be more annoying than the women & many can come across as effeminate to Anglo-New World sensibilities. Despite that, it's probably the most "machiste" country in Europe (what Americans innacurately term "chauvunust", which actually means "extremely patriotic" & has nothing to do with men).

It's the opposite of North American easy-goingness. They're exceedingly formal & some colleagues of decades will still use the formal "vous" form for "you" to maintain that distance between them. I've even been treated poorly when they've just not heard me greet them, so make your words deliberate & audible. Always use ALL your BAMS with EVERY PERSON you interact with. Even just to ask for the time, order a coffee, buy a Metro ticket, etc., you need to say "Bonjour/Bonsoir", Query, "s'il vous plait", "merci", "Au revoir".

They already think of Americans as loud & obnoxious (like drunk Germans), so try not to further those stereotypes. Without being aware, Americans tend to slam, bang & boom things a lot. (Be more careful with objects. Don't slam doors, drop things vs placing them down, throw things - keys, bikes, etc.) They're thought to talk very loudly to people standing right next to them & scream into telephones which are actually built with microphones included. They tend to drink more like Anglos, to get drunk, while the French will sit with the same drink for hours & it's about the discussion/ambiance, not the alcohol, esp in Paris where drinks are very expensive for people making 25K/year average French salary, including beginning lawyers & doctors, secretaries, fast-food workers, etc.

Unlike Americans & more so northern Europeans, the French (like the English) were historically very hierarchcally stratified & you still feel vestiges of this in French culture, despite the pre-supposed egalitarianism (Liberte, EGALITE, fraternite). Age is an important factor that lends one respect in itself. You won't see any 20-something managers, regardless of ability & it's all but impossible for most French to start a business without already being well-off. Don't try to namebrand them to death - Harvard, Mercedes, Calvin Klein, Upper East Side are all far less meaningful to them than your appearance, speech & comportment.

There's no mindset of "anyone can make it big" & therefore, anyone could be wealthy/important. If you dress in Armani/Versace/Movado/etc & are well put together, behave with decorum & speak well, they'll assume you're wealthy. If you go out in the evening, expect to be excluded by many bouncers unless you're dressed to the nines (men, included). The way you dress will influence everything about your treatment, probably more than anything else, right up till you open your mouth, at which point, they'll determine your socio-economic status based on your level of politeness & mastery of the French language.

Non-native speakers aren't really given a pass to speak imperfect French, unlike most countries. They believe in the superiority of their language & culture (whether they consciously admit it or not - ask them about native French-speaking Quebecers or Belgian Walloons & they'll laugh at their inferiority & how these other NATIVE francophones are incorrect in any ways they differ from mainland French. The French exaggerate their accent when speaking English, but mostly try to avoid speaking it at all (even though, they study & actually speak it as well as most other Europeans. In the EU, English is the lingua franca among all EU citizens.) They keep silent because, in their French minds, it's preferable to say nothing than to speak English imperfectly.

In Europe generally, comfort is a far second to appearance & adults tend not to wear fitted caps, wifebeaters or trainers (Nikes, sport shoes) in everyday non-sporting life. Even T-shirts are less common & not a "basic top" for adults. Men NEVER go shirtless in town outside of swimming areas. The police WILL oblige you to put on a shirt & French police are usually pretty hands-off. (i.e. An uncle drove in France with only a foreign passport for decades.)
Women don't wear micro-shorts wedged up their crack & the general dress sense is clean, put-together & more formal, esp in Southern Europe & Africa (including Latin France). But, women DO go topless at any beach (not considered nudity, or only for nudist beaches). In certain spas, full nudity is required of all adults (male & female together).

If you wanna come across continentally, wear a polo or button-down plus slacks & comfortable non-sporty shoes (no sneakers/trainers), even for touristing around or a spot of day hiking (not camping), etc. Drink only water with your meals (both sparkling/still ok), not sodas & retain fork & knife in same hands while cutting/eating food, without switching back & forth or cutting everything at once (only for children). Speak at a low volume that only your interlocutors can hear (not the entire cafe/street/metro/etc) & laugh discreetly & not incessantly at every single remark (they don't take this to be politeness, but rather childishness or odd; however, lots of smiling is ok.)

COming home late in the evening presupposes complete silence in France (Paris included) & even shoes on the hardwood floor will result in a visit or broomhandle bangs from your neighbours. It's easier to just remove your shoes upon entering older buildings at night.
Anonymous on Nov 16, 2023:
As an American who lived in Paris for a couple decades, including high school, I can tell you that this comment is completely subjective and totally not the case for most Americans there:

"FYI french citizens despise Americans my wife and I stayed in France two months horrible treatment no reason at all promise.We wouldn't recommend it.
Plus Americans are charged double the price for everything."

While the French can come off as distant or snobby, it's because they value very polite, toned down interactions. As someone else said, learn a few phrases of French, and say your pleases and thank yous and they will be ever so nice back to you. Most people under 35 or so speak some English at this point. No one gets charged more for anything just for being American.

Visas are very hard to get if you don't have a job offer lined up, are going to study there, or have a French partner who you will be joining, unless you are an asylum seeker or economic migrant and walk there from Greece, or fly in and remain there illegally and hope to find some under the table work, which I don't think is very viable unless you are desperate such as the aforementioned migrants. One can try and get a job teaching English to get a foot in the door, but they have to hire EU citizens first, so you have to beat out all the Irish and Brits who grandfathered in before Brexit, and even Scandinavians, so not super easy either for Americans. Or you can prove you are self sufficient, such as retirees or a successful author or just well-enough off to support yourself.

Lastly, I would like to throw out a huge ???!!!??? to this person:

"I'm from America. I would like to visit Paris. Does everybody there speak English? I would be willing to stay and visit for as long as 1 month. As long as everyone was nice to me. That way I could see everything. Are the people in Paris nice people? I see they have McDonalds. So food should be no problem for me. That's the same McDonalds as is here in America. Right? I was watching a video and all the people on the streets of Paris simply look charming. And attractive. Is everyone in Paris that attractive? It's amazing. And from the other videos I see Paris is so upscale. They have almost no areas that are economically challenged. They must be so well off. No wonder everybody looks so happy. I am looking forward to my visit."

I don't even know what to say to that. Is it satire? I mean, I hope you had fun if you went and I really hope you ate some French food and that the people in Paris were nice enough to you so you could grace them with your presence for a whole month. And if you want an economically challenged spot in Paris have a little wander into its suburbs, but not after dark.
Mark on Jun 07, 2023:
I Mark moved my family from the USA for 3 years to the Russian Federation, as it is impossible to live in NY because of the increase in prices for food, heating, fuel and, of course, crowds of brazen migrants who live on welfare and rob and mock local residents, and the authorities only indulge them for votes in elections. Now we have been living in Moscow for 4 years and this city is a thousand times better than NY. No wonder UN experts recognize Moscow best metropolis in terms of quality of life! Moscow has been name the best in the world in terms of infrastructure development and quality of life according to UN-Habitat's City Prosperity Index.. Haters can write anything, but the fact remains anyway!
Frenchman in Paris on May 22, 2023:
I would label Last comment (Apr 03, 2023) as pure useless horseshit.
However, I'd tend to comment further:
- not everybody speak English in France. As Paris is very touristical, there are more people talking English/Globish but overall, we're still behind our neighbours of Germany and Switzerland for instance (not to mention Scandinavia nor the UK obviously). But probably slightly better off than in Italy, Spain or Portugal
- to be able to mumble a few words in French is a huge plus as it's highly appreciated (as with any local language anywhere in the world), beyond the "bonjour", "merci", "s'il vous plait" and "au revoir". There are a lot of mobile applications allowing to jump-start your learning process (eg Babbel, Duolingo, Busuu etc).
- in Paris, public transportation (metro, bus, RER = suburbian train system) is good & the best way to move around. Not to mention the cheapest (+ public bikes up for rent), used by everyone (so no social segregation). Also Paris is a tiny city meant for walkers (see: https://d2wwhj0amomscw.cloudfront.net/temps-parcours/WEB-A4-distances-temps-paris-marche-pied.pdf). Outside the Parisian region (Ile de France), the train system between cities is also very good, all things considered. But of course, car would be needed if you live in the outskirt of a city.
- regarding long-term visa (= more than 90 days & less than 1 year), this is relatively easy to get if you have a reason to come to France = to study, to work, or to join your family. Outside these use cases, probably way more difficult, to be honest. Probably like in a lot of other countries, US included.
- there is absolutely no grudge against Americans - we view the US as a close ally and history has proven this friendship goes both ways (from La Fayette to WW2). In hospitality though (restaurants, hotels etc) Americans are viewed as "generous" as they tend to tip like in the US (eg 10-20% tip) whereas French are cheaper - as part of the tip (service) is supposed to be included in the price you already pay by default.
Anonymous on Apr 03, 2023:
FYI french citizens despise Americans my wife and I stayed in France two months horrible treatment no reason at all promise.We wouldn't recommend it.
Plus Americans are charged double the price for everything.
Anonymous on Mar 19, 2023:
I'm from America. I would like to visit Paris. Does everybody there speak English? I would be willing to stay and visit for as long as 1 month. As long as everyone was nice to me. That way I could see everything. Are the people in Paris nice people? I see they have McDonalds. So food should be no problem for me. That's the same McDonalds as is here in America. Right? I was watching a video and all the people on the streets of Paris simply look charming. And attractive. Is everyone in Paris that attractive? It's amazing. And from the other videos I see Paris is so upscale. They have almost no areas that are economically challenged. They must be so well off. No wonder everybody looks so happy. I am looking forward to my visit.
Nathalie on Mar 19, 2023:
Writing from America. I dream of living in france one day.. How difficult is it to get a long-term visa for non-europeans? Hopefully not as complicated as Britain's policies.
Anonymous on Nov 11, 2022:
Speak for yourselves throughout Europe Asia etc but not for the USA.The USA is oil rich always will be.The OPEC oil ministers hype is just that hype.Usa economy isn't suffering the government is just inflating prices to pad they're already deep coffers but they've been doing it for 40 years.

American Citizen
Anonymous on Nov 09, 2022:
ending war in Ukraine necessary to tackle climate crisis, Zelenskiy says
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/08/cop27-climate-summit-volodymyr-zelenskiy-ukraine-president-speech

Zelenskiy was right that not only the Ukraine war but also the corruption of Putin with which everyone in every country is suffering unbearable inflation consequently through Putin's most wicked collusion with either the Mafia OPEC or not so Putin must be disconnected for the salvation of the whole world or else Russia would be disconnected from the rest of the world which means Russia would be banned from selling anything to anyone from all other countries until Putin is stripped off of his power in Russia for good.
Anonymous on Oct 11, 2022:
There is no average salary such an open question.That depends upon your profession skills.Dont get your hopes up too high.Unless you are within a short walking distance to your employment taxi and bus fares will eat up any extra money you may have.The average rent for a studio apartment is 2,000 eur monthly unfurnished.VAT value added tax is currently 21 percent.You cannot afford living in Paris let alone the countryside it's all very expensive.Also you cannot just land in France and expect to get a good wage since you're an unknown remember that.
Ömer dumlu on Jun 15, 2022:
work experience, waiter, barista, cashier and hairdresser, experienced in all branches, I am also an associate degree student
Anonymous on Oct 08, 2021:
For the sake of independence and survival, Europe must immediately ban gas throughout Europe and the gas must be immediately replaced with other cheaper alternatives coming from such as hydropower plant, Nuclear energy, wood, coal, etc which can be independently produced in Europe without requiring dependence from untrustworthy source.

It's time to build Nuclear power plant as much as necessary in order to provide sufficient power for Europe as well as to provide the free city transportation including bus and train powered by electricity in order to discourage the public from using the oil fueled cars as the first step to permanently remove oil dependence from Russia and Russia's manipulated OPEC.
Paul M.Woeller on Mar 29, 2021:
I lived in Paris in the 70's and loved it. I worked in a restaurant La Belle Aurora. Wish I had stayed
Anonymous on Dec 14, 2020:
Transportation has increased triple taking taxi's due to the government putting heavy taxes on carbon emissions.Try to situate yourself within a very central area so you can walk where you need to shop etc.
Anonymous on Oct 08, 2020:
I see that the salary is now above 2,500 EUR which is fair.
However property prices in city center (1 to 11 districts) are above 13,000 EUR according to the notary monthly report of September 2020 and not 12,000 EUR as I can see now. It should be corrected.
The 6e arrondissement or district average price is 15,000 EUR for example : https://notairesdugrandparis.fr/fr/carte-des-prix
Anonymous on Jun 22, 2020:
2,300 net salary average (after benefits and income tax) is not correct.
In 2016, the average salary was 2370 according to official figures : https://www.salairemoyen.com/en/departement-75-Paris.html

Now in 2020 it should be at least 2,500.
Anonymous on Mar 08, 2020:
<quote>Is Paris a good city for someone who wants to study Geography in the university then work and live there?
I think 99 percent of buildings are very old and this is a negative part for me. also structure of the city is very old too.
what's your idea? help me. thanks.
</quote>
Hi Arthur, your comment sounds a bit odd, i dont know where you come from but most of the big european cities are very old, so indeed the real estate is de facto old... it's usually what gives its charm to these cities. And the truth is, outside the historical center, some poorer or ex-industrial parts of Paris and its suburbs are now giant playground for real estate promoters and architects so big chunks of the city (and around) are getting renewed completely, have a look on the internet if you want to know more. This is part of a giant project that will span over 30 years called "Grand Paris" (Greater Paris) and also in sight of the upcoming olympic games in 2024.
About the prices, the biggest problem is -as everyone below already stated- the rents which are huge compared to the salaries, and when you're a student it's even more complicated.
Talking about the structure of the city, i dont know what is and old structure compared to a new structure... each city has a different layout so what did you mean exactly ?
Arthur on Mar 03, 2020:
Is Paris a good city for someone who wants to study Geography in the university then work and live there?
I think 99 percent of buildings are very old and this is a negative part for me. also structure of the city is very old too.
what's your idea? help me. thanks.