✦ Cost of living
Paris
Paris, France
US = 100
In plain terms: Paris is about 21% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,600/month.
◆ Cost of living in Paris: what to know
Paris is expensive in a different way from London. Rent is serious, especially for a family-sized flat in a central arrondissement, but it stops short of London's, and it is not the only thing taking the pay cheque. French income tax and social contributions leave a wide gap between gross salary and what lands in the account. Day to day the metro, markets and a walkable city keep a modest life in check, and a car is mostly a cost you can skip.
What blows the budget is space plus a habit of eating out. Small flats are the norm, and the jump to another room is steep. Neighbourhood is the lever — a short metro ride changes the rent far more than it changes how you live. On a strong local salary Paris works; on an average one, the city asks you to choose between space and the centre.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing150+50%
- Food & groceries115+15%
- Transport95−5%
- Utilities120+20%
- Healthcare85−15%
- Goods & services115+15%
Is Paris expensive?
Yes, moderately. Paris indexes at 121 against a US average of 100 — roughly 21% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 92 cities we track, Paris ranks #9 by overall cost — 83 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Paris costs
One person
$3,130/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,510/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,080/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,150 | $1,600 | $3,200 |
| Food & groceries | $530 | $770 | $1,290 |
| Transport | $570 | $840 | $1,410 |
| Utilities | $240 | $360 | $600 |
| Healthcare | $240 | $350 | $590 |
| Goods & services | $400 | $590 | $990 |
| Total per month | $3,130 | $4,510 | $8,080 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Paris
Dense, walkable and unrelentingly beautiful. Rents undercut London, but high social charges take a big bite of gross pay.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- French
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 58/100
- Climate
- ❄ 5°C · ☀ 20°C · 62 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- E · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Le Marais · Montmartre · Bastille
About
“The City of Light”
Dense, walkable and unrelentingly beautiful. Rents undercut London, but high social charges take a big bite of gross pay.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- French
- Coordinates
- 48.86, 2.35
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
20%
VAT / sales
22%
Social (employee)
25%
Corporate
30%
Capital gains
$2,600
Avg net salary
per month
Plus high social charges.
Visas & residency
Talent Passport for skilled workers, founders and researchers.
✈ Schengen: 90/180 days visa-free for many passports.
Skilled workers, founders, investors.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
69/100
Safety
58/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
65/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
+5 °C
Jul avg
+20 °C
Sunny days
62/yr
Walkability
90/100
Public transit
88/100
Family-friendly
60/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 150
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Paris without a car?
89/100
Car-free score
90/100
Walkability
88/100
Public transport
Yes — Paris scores 89/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Paris indexes at 95 against a US average of 100 — about 5% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Paris ranks #3 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Paris — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,600
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,150
- Inexpensive meal$18
- Monthly transit pass$90
- Utilities (monthly)$200
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Paris, FR expensive to live in?
Paris, FR's cost-of-living index is 121 (US average = 100) — about 21% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #9 of the 92 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,130 a month and a family of four around $8,080, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Paris, FR?
Paris, FR's cost-of-living index is 121 (US average = 100) — about 21% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,600 per month.
What are the average living costs in Paris, FR?
Living costs in Paris, FR are about 21% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 121 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,600. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Paris, FR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,600 per month, and around $1,150 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in France?
France has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 20%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Paris, FR?
Paris, FR averages around +5 °C in January and +20 °C in July, with roughly 62 sunny days a year.
Is Paris, FR safe?
Paris, FR scores 58 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Paris, FR without a car?
Paris, FR scores 89/100 on our car-free score — 90/100 for walkability and 88/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Paris with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.