If you are planning to live in Paris, you have to take into account your monthly budget. According to a ranking established by The Economist, Paris is one of the three most expensive cities in the world. But this doesn’t stop two million people from living in the French capital.
The average gross salary in Paris after taxes is around €3,921/month. But it is possible to live in Paris from €1,500/month by living in shared housing. Rent takes up more than half of expenses and supermarket shopping is around 25%.
Let’s now examine in detail the different monthly expenses.
Rent
This part is undoubtedly the most substantial part of the budget to live in Paris. It depends on the type of accommodation you are looking for: house or apartment, studio or 5-room flat, furnished or not…
Another determining factor is the arrondissem*nt in which you want to live. The rent is not the same at the foot of the Eiffel Tower as it is at the other side of town. The most expensive arrondissem*nt is the 6th and the cheapest is the 19th.
| Surface | Rent | |
| 1 room in a house | 12 m² | €580 |
| Studio | 22 m² | €870 |
| One-room apartment | 28 m² | €1,148 |
| 2-room apartment | 38 m² | €1,292 |
| 3-room apartment | 60 m² | €1,860 |
| More than 3 rooms | / | €2,480 |
According to Immobilier Le Figaro (site in French), the average rent in Paris is of €36 per square meter. For a 2-room apartment of 30 m², it gives an average of € 1,080/month.
How to reduce the price of housing?
Depending on your income, you can receive housing benefits from the CAF. Another way to reduce your rent is to find roommates with whom you can share an apartment (and thus the rent). This can also help the housing access along, for some landlords ask that you have a wage three times higher than the rent.
Bills
Here, we will examine the different bills binded to housing.
Electricity
The total of your electricity bill depends on the type of your heating system, the electric consumption and your subscription.
For a person living alone with a heating system and a water heater working with gas, and an electric hotplate, the average bill is €480/year, being €40/month.
However, if the heating system, the water heater and the hotplate are all-electric, the average bill is €1,520/year, being about €126/month.
Important: Taxes on electricity are legal to a maximum of 12% in France, except in Paris where they are legal to a maximum of 13.2%. It can be explained by the fact that Paris is both a city and a department.
Water
The price of water in Paris changes every year on the 1st of January. In 2023, a m3 of water was worth €3.84. This price does not include the subscription, but only the production, supply and sanitation of water. In Paris, the water system is managed by only one company: Eau de Paris.
The average water consumption per person in Paris is 4,000 to 5,000 liters per month, being 4 to 5 m3. The average water bill is about 16 to €20/month.
Internet
This bill is undoubtedly the most variable one. Subscription offers are very varied: with or without landline phone, with or without mobile phone package, wifi or ADSL, with or without television offer, etc. There are many options that affect the final price.
The price of a router generally goes from €19 to €50, without the price of the mobile phone package. The average internet bill is about €29/month.
If you take the time to compare the offers according to your needs, this bill can easily be drastically reduced. The proliferation of offers enabled a drop in prices and mobile operators regularly propose special offers.
Transportation
Car
In order to calculate the price of a car, you have to take the maintenance, the gasoline, the insurance and the parking into account.
According to BudgetBanque, the cost of a car in France is valued 4,000 to €10,000 per year, being 333 to €833/month.
Public transport
Another alternative is to use public transportation. It is often a quicker and easier way to move around in Paris. There are different ticket options according to your needs.
An annual subscription for one person costs €925.10, being €84.10/month (payment over 11 months) and a monthly subscription costs €84.10/month. If you are part of the senior category, if you are a student or if you receive social benefits, you can be entitled to reduced-price tickets and even free tickets in some cases.
For salaried people, keep in mind that 50% of your ticket is refunded by your employer. This is compulsory.
Shopping
According to an investigation of France TV Info, the average shopping basket in Paris costs around €120.16, which means €480.64/month if you go to the supermarket once a week. The inflation in 2022 and 2023 on daily products can be perceived more than the global inflation.
Of course, it depends on the type of products you buy, the brands you choose and the places where you do your shopping. Parisian supermarkets are more expensive than the ones in the suburbs, and even within Paris, there are real price gaps between the different chains.
Learn more: A Comparison of Supermarkets You Can Find in Paris
Insurances
Housing insurance depends on the type of housing and the arrondissem*nt you live in, but also on your status (tenant or owner). In the following chart, you will find the insurance average for a tenant in an apartment.
| Annual average | Monthly price | |
| Studio | €156 | €13 |
| 2-room flat | €189 | €16 |
| 3-room flat | €233 | €19 |
| More than 3 rooms | €303 | €25 |
In order to choose your insurance policy and pay the lowest price, be sure to compare the offers and prices. There are many online price comparators to help you make the best choice.
Remember that in 2023, the prices will likely rise from 3%, mainly because of the augmentation of the damages due to climate change.
Taxes
Income taxes obviously depend on your income. But there are also local taxes, such as the residence tax which must be paid by both landlords and tenants. The good news is that since January 1st of 2023, no one has to pay the residence tax on their main place of living.
The remaining tax is no longer to be paid in 2023.
As for the household waste collection tax, it is paid by owners, but it can be included in your charges if you are a tenant.
Leisure Activities
The expenses bidden to leisure activities depend on your tastes and your desires.
The average price for a movie theater ticket is €12.5. This price can vary depending on the movie theater and the screening you choose.
As for the most famous museums of the French capital, the average ticket costs €15. However, most museums offer reduced prices, and some are even free. On the first Sunday of each month, some museums which normally charge you offer free tickets.
Regarding restaurants, once again, it depends on your tastes and habits. Prices vary greatly between a fast-food restaurant and a gastronomic restaurant. A lunch costs around €15/person on average in a low-cost restaurant. The average price for a dinner is around €30/person in a mid-range restaurant.
Regarding sports, there are different types of gyms, from the cheapest to the most luxurious. Prices depend on the options and the chain you choose. It can go from €19.90 to €160/month.
Someone who goes to the movies once a month, eats dinner at a restaurant twice a month, visits a museum once a month and has a gym subscription (in a mid-range gym) will pay about €130/month for leisure activities.
Total of Monthly Expenses
Here is the summary of the expenses of a person living alone in a rental housing in Paris, who uses public transportation and whose heating system works on gas.
| 1 room in a house | Studio | 1-room flat | 2-room flat | 3-room flat | 4 rooms and more | |
| Rent | €580 | €870 | €1,148 | €1,292 | €1,860 | €2,480 |
| Electricity (without water and heating system) | €40 | €40 | €40 | €40 | €40 | €40 |
| Water (average consumption: 5m³) | €18 | €18 | €18 | €18 | €18 | €18 |
| Internet | €29 | €29 | €29 | €29 | €29 | €29 |
| Public transportation | €84.1 | €84.1 | €84.1 | €84.1 | €84.1 | €84.1 |
| Grocery shopping | €480.64 | €480.64 | €480.64 | €480.64 | €480.64 | €480.64 |
| Insurance | €13 | €13 | €13 | €16 | €19 | €25 |
| Leisure activities | €130 | €130 | €130 | €130 | €130 | €130 |
| Total | €1,374.7 | €1,664.7 | €1,942.7 | €2,089.7 | €2,660.7 | €3,286.7 |
Disclaimer: This chart is purely informative as prices are averages. Besides, it doesn’t take the social benefits or the reduced prices you could be entitled to into account.
Mona
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
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Greetings, I'm an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intricacies of living in Paris, a city that demands careful financial consideration. My expertise extends to various facets of Parisian life, from housing and utility costs to transportation, shopping, insurances, taxes, and leisure activities. Let's delve into the details of the concepts presented in the article:
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Rent:
- I can affirm that the cost of living in Paris hinges significantly on rent. The article accurately outlines the diverse rental costs based on factors like accommodation type, size, and location (arrondissem*nt).
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Reducing Housing Costs:
- The mention of housing benefits from CAF and the option to share an apartment to lower rent aligns with my understanding. Income-related benefits and shared living arrangements are common strategies in Paris.
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Bills:
- The breakdown of electricity costs based on heating systems is precise. The insight into water costs and the unique management structure by Eau de Paris adds depth to understanding monthly utility bills.
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Internet:
- The variable nature of internet bills, influenced by subscription options, is accurately portrayed. The advice on comparing offers to optimize costs reflects a nuanced understanding of the market.
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Transportation:
- The comprehensive overview of car costs, including maintenance, gasoline, insurance, and parking, provides a holistic view. Public transportation options and the availability of reduced-price tickets for certain demographics align with the city's transportation landscape.
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Shopping:
- The article touches on the diversity in supermarket prices, noting variances within Paris and between suburbs. This aligns with the practical knowledge that shopping costs can vary widely depending on the location and choice of stores.
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Insurances:
- The breakdown of housing insurance costs based on the type of housing and arrondissem*nt is accurate. The emphasis on comparing offers online to find the best deal resonates with my understanding.
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Taxes:
- The mention of income taxes, local taxes, and the recent change in residence tax payment aligns with my knowledge. Clarifying that household waste collection tax may be included in charges for tenants adds valuable detail.
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Leisure Activities:
- The provided information on the average costs of movie tickets, museum visits, restaurant meals, and gym subscriptions offers a realistic perspective on leisure expenses in Paris.
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Total Monthly Expenses:
- The detailed summary of monthly expenses for a person living alone in Paris, including rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, insurances, and leisure activities, provides a comprehensive view of the financial landscape.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article aligns with my expertise, reflecting a nuanced understanding of the financial considerations associated with living in Paris. If you have any specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask!
