Cost of Living in Paris

Is Paris expensive?

Yes — Paris is, by far, the most expensive city in France, and one of the costliest in Europe when it comes to day-to-day living. A single person in Paris should expect to spend over €2,300/month, with €1,000+ going to daily expenses (groceries, transport, healthcare, etc.) and €1,200–€1,600 to rent for a one-bedroom flat.

Despite relatively modest French salaries, what tips the scale in Paris is the housing market. Beyond rent, food, coffee, and entertainment tend to cost more in the capital than in smaller cities like Nantes or Montpellier. Reddit users commonly mention that living comfortably as a single person in the city takes around €3,000/month, especially if you enjoy eating out or live in central districts.

Compare Paris to other Western European capitals and yes, you’ll verify that Paris is costly. In Berlin, according to our research, you can have the same lifestyle you’ll have in Paris (although you won’t be able to pick up excellent pâtisserie and tasty crêpes) for around €2,000. This means Paris is 15% more expensive than Berlin. The cost of living in Paris is also around 15% higher than in Brussels.

Yet, high costs come with benefits: world-class healthcare, stout public transport, and unmatched cultural life. And outside the capital, France is significantly more affordable.

Rent per month

Paris rent is expensive—there’s no sugar-coating it. Data from SeLoger and Paris Rental shows that a one-bedroom flat in the city centre costs between €1,400 and €1,600/month, while flats outside the core neighbourhoods still fetch around €1,100 to €1,300/month.

Do note that a deux-pièces refers to one bedroom plus a living room, not two bedrooms—so double-check listings.

Furnished flats cost more, but may include utilities, which is rare in France. In Paris, this can mean a small but valuable discount.

How to find a flat in Paris

Finding a long-term rental in Paris can be bureaucratic and frustrating, especially for newcomers. Landlords tend to favour tenants already established in France, meaning you’ll often be asked for:

• Your last three payslips
• Proof that you’re not on probation
• A French-based guarantor

That’s why starting with a short-term furnished rental—via platforms like Paris Rental or Blueground—is often a smarter way to land in the city. It gives you time to set up a local bank account, employment contract, and references, which all help in getting accepted for a long-term lease.

Be wary of scams, especially in Facebook groups and student forums. Credible portals include:

• PAP (Particulier à Particulier) – direct-from-owner listings
• SeLoger – large inventory and scam filtering
• A Vendre A Louer – classic portal for buying and renting
• Paris Rental – specialises in upscale furnished apartments for expats
• Blueground and Spotahome – great for furnished rentals and remote bookings

Tenant tip: If utilities (called charges privatives) are included in your rent, that’s a financial plus—most leases leave those out, and you’ll have to manage gas, electricity, and water separately.

Property prices

Paris remains one of Europe’s most expensive cities when it comes to property ownership. Numbeo reports a price-to-income ratio of 16.5, meaning it takes over 16 years of gross income to buy a typical Parisian home. The average buying price in the city centre is €12,375/m², which drops to about €8,346/m² outside the centre.

That’s significantly higher than other French cities such as Lyon or Toulouse, where central property rates range between €3,100–€5,800/m².

Utilities

For an 85 m² flat, monthly utility costs—covering electricity, heating, water, and waste removal—averages around €183 per month, according to Numbeo data. A typical French internet package (≥ 60 Mbps, unlimited) costs about €29.90/month. Costs are slightly higher in Paris compared to rural areas, but remain moderate given the city’s comprehensive infrastructure.

Furnished flats

Furnished flats deliver convenience and flexibility—especially for expats or short-term residents—though they come at a premium.

Listings from Lodgis and Wunderflats show quality studios in central arrondissements (e.g., 3ᵉ, 4ᵉ Marais) costing €1,600–€2,300/month, with larger one-bedroom flats starting closer to €2,500.

Transportation

Paris offers a comprehensive and relatively affordable public transport system. According to Numbeo, these are the current 2025 transportation prices:

• One-way ticket in local transport: €2.50 per ride
• Monthly pass: €88.40
• Taxi start fare: €8.00
• Per km tariff: €3.00
• Waiting time: €48.00 per hour

Rideshare options for intercity travel like BlaBlaCar offer excellent value too.

Food

Everyday groceries in Paris generally cost:

• Bread (500 g): €1.77
• Eggs (12): €4.38
• Chicken fillets (1 kg): €12.15
• Tomatoes (1 kg): €3.30
• Apples (1 kg): €3.00
• Milk (1 L): €1.38
• Water (1.5 L): €0.77

Dining out varies:

• Fast food meal (e.g. burger or McMenu; not the Royale with Cheese): €12
• Mid‑range restaurant (three courses for two): €60
• Meal in an inexpensive restaurant: €15

One person's grocery bill usually falls between €260 and €400 per month, but this depends on how often they eat out and how much they shop.

Mobile phone plans

Mobile plans in Paris are both flexible and budget-friendly. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost for a plan that includes calls, texts, and 10GB+ data is around €22.68. One of the best deals is with Free Mobile, for just €2. It’s so cheap that it has some shortcomings. Read our guide on France to learn which ones.

Childcare

In comparison to other global capitals, Paris is renowned for its relatively accessible pricing and excellent selection of childcare options. Costs vary depending on the type of care, your income, and whether the facility is public or private.

Private full-time crèches typically charge around €708/month, though prices can range from €400 to over €1,200 depending on the arrondissement and level of service. In Paris specifically, Numbeo lists the average monthly fee for private preschool at €766, which is on the higher end of the national scale.

However, most families in France benefit from generous public subsidies. According to the OECD’s 2024 PF3.2 report on preschool enrolment, France stands out for its commitment to early childhood education and equity. The CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) offers income-based support that significantly reduces fees—some low-income households pay as little as €50/month, while even higher-income families rarely pay the full sticker price.

Additionally, public nursery schools (écoles maternelles) are free for all children aged 3 to 6, which covers a full school day. Parents may still pay small contributions for lunch or transport, but these are minor compared to tuition fees elsewhere in Europe.

France uses a quotient familial system to ensure affordability is aligned with household income, a policy that has helped the country maintain some of the highest preschool enrolment rates in the OECD. For expat families, this means access to reliable, affordable care is very achievable—especially once you’re registered with local social services.

Gym

Parks in Paris are excellent for working out, strolling or walking, but staying fit in Paris seems to be expensive if you want to go to the gym (and if you don’t do some detective work before joining one). Numbeo lists gyms as costing €30 a month, which is more or less what you’d pay elsewhere in a Western European capital. But so many things in Paris are pricey, and going to the gym seems to be one of them. When we searched for subscriptions, we realised that a monthly standard gym membership in Paris can go for around €160 (we’re not making this up). This depends on the gym, and it looks like boutique gyms are more accessible than franchise clubs. For example, a boutique gym near the Palais Royal goes for €40 a month, depending on the plan.

If you’re thrifty, the most interesting thing to know about gyms in Paris is that many of them offer free passes during summer, or the été. This is possibly because the locals prefer to rest and relax during the warmer months, and the gyms want to still book more members that might end up paying a yearly pass.

On the other hand, courts for tennis are around €16 per hour.