Why Is Paris Expensive to Live in?
Written by Nadia Podrabinek
Hello, my name is Nadia. I usually write about traveling (there are so many places to fit all the lifestyles), relocation, and living in a foreign country (adapting to a different culture). My travels stretch beyond Spain, with journeys to the US, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and France. Relocating to Spain in 2018, I lived in cities from Barcelona to Madrid, currently calling Valencia home. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! ... show more
Paris is a popular travel destination and the second most expensive city in Europe (with a rank of 33 globally). Despite this, there is still high demand for people to live and work here due to its rich culture, history, and nightlife.
The main reason Paris is so expensive is that strict laws limit the height of buildings, creating a housing shortage.
However, many people here are proud to be French and find it worth it despite the costs.
Read also: Day trips from Paris you don't want to miss in winter.
What people say on Reddit
Everything is more expensive in Paris than elsewhere but normally paychecks are higher than in the rest of the country. There are a couple of real supermarkets for groceries, it should be affordable. Large movie theaters are expensive (~10 EUR).
Be prepared that NOTHING is open during the night after 2 o’clock in the morning and the grocery shops which are opened between midnight and 2am are super expensive (a 4 pack of the most basic yoghourt can cost over 2 EUR).
Don’t buy a car, it will be a nightmare. It is much more affordable to rent one for week-ends, and much less the trouble.
If you are living and working Intra-Muros that is. Extra-muros the situation is very different and depends of the place.
Afond378
As the others said, you definitely need to cut on your rent. 400-600€ range is what I’ve been dealing with since I came in Paris, for a decent place.
You definitely need to move to the suburbs to cut on rent or to find a roommates in a big flat. I do that, and with 2 roommates you can manage to pay 550€ for a 90m2 flat near Republique. Alone, with 450€ you can manage maybe a 15m2 under the roof.
Also, your employer is required by law to pay half of your transportation costs.
I don’t know where you go do your groceries but avoid absolutely the smallest stores : they are expensive as hell and charge almost double than others. If you live in the suburbs, try to find a big Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché, whatever. Otherwise inside Paris, go for a decent-sized Franprix, Carrefour City… that would be your cheapest options.
__sebastien
I lived in Paris for two years and the cheapest rents are found the farther you get from the centre. You could try looking in Boulogne-Billancourt, Ivry-sur-Seine, Malakoff etc… These cities are just on the outer ring of the Seine so you’ll have no trouble with public transport or the metro. I had friends who rented a 3 bedroom in Billancourt for 1300 euros back in 2014. Hope this helps!
Funkoma
I moved to Paris last October from NY. I made 4x more the amount of money I get paid now. It’s a sacrifice for sure. We did get pretty lucky with our apt though, its possible to get a good deal. Our current 2 bedroom apt we got through Junot Immobiler on Rue Lepic (next to the Amelie cafe) in Montmarte for just 1000 euros per/m. It’s much smaller than our previous NY apartment(we had a spot in prime williamsburg with a private backyard) but pretty affordable especially in that area. The only thing is it’s on the 5eme etage but that’s not a big deal.
There are perks for being in Europe but yeah wages here are definitely lower overall. I do think you can search around and find a decent deal on an apt, but you really gotta look.
Reave_
7 reasons why Paris is expensive
1. Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world due to its limited housing supply, high demand for property, and an influx of wealthy individuals.
2. The city’s dramatic boulevards resulted from an ambitious overhaul by Georges-Eugène Haussmann during Napoleon III’s reign as president and emperor, which resulted in the poor being driven out to the suburbs.
3. Horizontal and vertical limits have been preserved since this era, preventing skyscrapers from popping up like other cities such as New York or Hong Kong while limiting the housing supply.
4. Demand for luxury goods has increased with the inflation and due to creative marketing tactics by retailers targeting tourists and wealthy locals alike. For example, Les Galeries Lafayette opened a store dedicated to Asian tourists.
5. The median price per square meter for a property is €14,430, making even studio apartments cost over half a million!
6. Salaries are actually quite low compared to other expensive cities. So, Parisians have far less disposable income than those living/working elsewhere, like San Francisco or Zurich, despite it being the second most expensive city in Europe.
7. High taxes: Tax rates are among the highest in Europe and can add 20% to already high prices.
Useful Video
How expensive is it to live in Paris?
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Paris is around $2,000 (€1,719). Eating out at restaurants or bars can be costly, with typical meals costing between $15-$20 (€13-€17). A beer usually costs you around $6 (€5), while cocktails range from $10 to $14 (€8-€12).
Prices for haircuts, manicures, and pedicures tend to be more expensive than what you’d find elsewhere in Europe – typically ranging from $40-$60 (€35-€52) per service, depending on where you go.
Going out for entertainment or shopping can also get pricey quickly, with movie tickets starting at around €11 ($12) and limited free activities available throughout the city center.
Compared to other major European capitals such as Madrid ($9/meal), Lisbon ($11), and Berlin($8), it is clear that eating out in Paris is more expensive than in other cities across Europe.
| Price | |
| Cost of living for expat | $4,118 / month |
| Cost of living for family | $8,930 / month |
| Hotel (median price) | $2,741 / month |
| Airbnb (median price) | $5,328 / month |
| Coca-Cola (0.3L) | $3.66 |
| Beer (0.5L) | $7.66 |
| Coffee | $5 |
| Dinner | $17 |
| Estimated tax on $50,000 | $21,172 |
| Estimated tax on $100,000 | $55,016 |
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What is the most expensive restaurant in Paris?
The most expensive restaurant in Paris is Guy Savoy. This fine dining establishment offers a tasting menu for around $650 per person (without drinks!).
What is the most expensive hotel in Paris?
It is the Four Seasons Hotel George V with around $2170 per night. For this price, you will get top-notch service, stunning views of Paris’ most famous landmarks, an elegant suite, fine dining restaurants, and a full-service spa.
So, I hope you now have a clearer image of prices in Paris. The city will likely maintain its title as one of the world’s most luxurious and expensive capitals for many years as the housing supply is still small.
My Other Posts About Paris
- What to Avoid in Restaurants in Paris
- Cozy Day Trips from Paris to Enjoy This Winter
- Paris Souvenir Ideas
