Cost of Living in Paris (2024)

19 Comments so far

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 horsesh*t.
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 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 arrondissem*nt 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.

Anonymous on Jan 18, 2020:

Continuing from previous post.
So to make it simple , one salary going on living and expenses, and another salary can pay of credit of apartment car , and holidays ... This is most real picture ..

Minja on Jan 18, 2020:

Paris housing is quite expensive in town. Suburbs cost less but then also class of people change , and drop in culture , cleanliness of streets and overall feeling is that you're far away from mighty west ..
Salary is around 2000€ , but still there are 1300€ low or 3000€ higher , depending a lot of position and work experience. To say , no any professional higher education , you will be around 1500-1800€. Knowing some skills or do example plumbing , electricity , heating , you will get higher salary if you do your own business and open company. If you speak both English and French rhis is good and can open door to many jobs like client support , working on airport , and other companies that need daily contact on English , then you can expect 2000+ euros again depends on your previous experience.
When you have 2 workers in home both to say earning about 4000€ , and you are living 30 km from Paris , you can find equiped apartment for 700-1200 euros and then for food and bills you will spend around 300-400 for food , and around 120-170 for bills all included. So let's say you find apartment of 40m2 for 1200 with bills included , you pay nice medium quality food 400 per month , transportation if there is no car , just public 150 that's already