The Real Cost of Living in Paris in 2025: A Guide for Expats

Dreaming of moving to Paris? You’re not alone! Whether it’s for career opportunities, study, a taste of French culture, or simply the adventure of living abroad, Paris continues to draw expats from all over the world. But before you pack your bags, it’s important to understand what living in Paris will cost you in 2025.

Paris has a reputation for being expensive — but the reality might surprise you. Compared to other global hotspots like New York or London, Paris can actually be a more affordable choice. Let’s break down the cost of living in Paris in 2025, along with some tips to make your budget stretch a little further.

Housing Prices in Paris: Your Biggest Expense

Let’s start with the big one — rent. Paris has always been an expensive place to live, and 2025 is no exception. For a furnished 40 m² one-bedroom apartment (about 430 square feet), rents typically range from €1,500 to €2,500 per month, depending on the neighborhood. The central arrondissements (like Le Marais, the 1st, 6th, and 8th districts) are the priciest, offering prime locations close to landmarks, chic boutiques, and historic cafés.

💡Rent - Paris vs. New York:
Rent in New York is a jaw-dropping 160% higher than in Paris.

💡Rent - Paris vs. London:
Rent in London is, on average, 37% higher than in Paris.

Thinking about buying instead? Property prices in Paris average around €10,418 per square meter. That’s double the price you’d pay in other big French cities like Lyon or Marseille. For most expats, renting remains the more practical (and affordable) option.

💡Property Price - Paris vs. New York:

• Paris: €10,418 per square meter
• New York: Approximately €14,500 per square meter
• Paris is about 39% cheaper than New York

💡Property Price - Paris vs. London:

• Paris: €10,418 per square meter
• London: Approximately €12,800 per square meter
• Paris is about 23% cheaper than London

👉Read this blog to learn more about how much it costs to rent an apartment in Paris.

Day-to-Day Costs in Paris: What You’ll Spend Beyond Rent 

Beyond rent, daily living expenses — from your morning croissant to groceries, dining out, and gym memberships — do add up. Here’s a detailed breakdown of a typical month for a single person living in Paris in 2025 — excluding rent.

Food & Groceries: €300 - €400 

Eating well in Paris doesn’t have to cost a fortune — especially if you embrace the local way of life and shop at open-air markets or neighborhood supermarkets. Some everyday prices to expect:

• Baguette: Around €1.20 — and you’ll find some of the best bread of your life.
• Milk (1 gallon): About €4.99
• Eggs (dozen): Around €4.41
• Local cheese (1 lb): About €9.68
• Chicken fillets (1 lb): Around €5.57

Good, healthy food in Paris doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Generally speaking, groceries in New York are 38% more expensive than in Paris. Whether you’re cooking at home or indulging in the occasional café lunch, good food in Paris doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Transportation: €88.80

One of Paris’ best facilities is its excellent public transportation system. A monthly pass covering the metro, RER, buses, and trams runs about €90— and with a system this extensive, you might never need a car in Paris.

Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water): €227.71 

For a typical 85 m² (915 sq ft) apartment, you can expect to pay around €230 per month for basic utilities like:

• Electricity
• Heating
• Hot Water

This is on par with other major European cities and far lower than what many expats pay in cities like New York.

Internet & Mobile: €47.30

Internet and Mobile subscriptions are pretty affordable in Paris:

• Home internet (unlimited data with TV channels): About €30 per month
• Mobile phone plan (with calls & 130Go+ data): Around €20 per month

That’s much cheaper than most U.S. phone plans — and coverage across Paris is excellent.

Entertainment & Leisure: €300 - €400

What’s life in Paris without a little fun? Whether it’s going to the gym, catching a film, visiting a museum, or enjoying a meal out, you’ll want to budget for entertainment and leisure. Typical prices:

• Fitness club membership: Around €35 per month
• Movie ticket: About €13
• Meal at a middle-range restaurant: Around €40
• Cappuccino at your neighborhood café: About €4

Of course, Paris has plenty of free or low-cost entertainment — from picnicking along the Seine to exploring stunning public parks and world-class museums (many of which offer free entry on certain days).

Personal Care & Miscellaneous: €100 - €150

This covers toiletries, clothing, pharmacy runs, and other personal items. Paris has everything from budget-friendly pharmacies and vintage shops to high-end boutiques, so you can choose how much you want to splurge.

All in all, the estimated monthly cost of living in Paris (excluding rent) for a single person in 2025 is between €1,064 and €1,314 per month. When you factor in rent for a furnished one-bedroom apartment, which typically falls between €1,500 and €2,500, you’re looking at a total monthly budget of approximately €2,564 to €3,814 to live comfortably in Paris.

Overall cost of living (excluding rent) is still 45% higher in New York than in Paris. And, Paris is around 27% cheaper than London.

How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Paris?

One of the biggest perks for expats moving to Paris — especially those from the US — is the high-quality yet surprisingly affordable healthcare system. In fact, the World Health Organization ranks France's healthcare system as the best in the world out of 191 countries surveyed, while the US comes in at 37th.

To help you plan, here's a look at typical medical costs in Paris as of March 2025 so you know what to expect when you need care.

Doctor Visits in Paris: Affordable and Accessible

Seeing a general practitioner (GP) in Paris won't break the bank. Even after a recent price increase, a standard visit costs just €30 — a fraction of what you'd pay out-of-pocket in the US. Visits for children under 6 are slightly higher at €35.

And remember, the French national health insurance reimburses 70% of these costs, meaning your actual out-of-pocket expense is only around €9 for a standard visit — not including any supplemental coverage you might have through a mutuelle.

Specialist Consultations: Still Affordable

If you need to see a specialist, prices vary slightly depending on the type of doctor and the complexity of the visit — but they remain very reasonable by American standards. Most specialist visits are also covered at 70%, keeping your out-of-pocket costs low.

Hospital Costs in France: Significantly Lower

If you need hospital care, patients in France typically only pay around 20% of the total cost, with the national health system covering the rest. Many expats opt for supplemental insurance (mutuelle) to cover even that remaining portion, meaning some pay next to nothing out-of-pocket for hospital stays.

Affordable Luxury

Sure, Paris isn’t the cheapest city in Europe — but compared to global giants like New York or London, it’s much more affordable than you might think. You get:

• World-famous cuisine that doesn’t require a Michelin-star budget.
• A walkable, beautiful city with efficient public transport.
• A rich cultural life, from free exhibitions to budget-friendly concerts.
• A high quality of life without the sky-high costs of other global hubs.

Ready to Find Your Parisian Home?

At Paris Rental, we specialize in furnished rentals designed for expats. Whether you’re looking for a chic 1-bedroom apartment near Le Marais or a spacious family apartment in the 16th district, we’re here to help you find the perfect apartment for rent in Paris to match your budget and lifestyle.

Contact us today to start your Paris adventure!

Editor: Siyi CHEN