Wondering how far your salary goes in Paris? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
Furnished studio / 1-bed, central€1,100-1,800 / mo (US$1,200-1,960)
Furnished 1-bed, outer arrondissements / suburbs€850-1,300 / mo (US$925-1,415)
Un café (espresso) at the counter / terrace€2-4.50 (US$2.20-4.90)
Bistro lunch formule (set menu)€15-22 (US$16-24)
Dinner for two (mid-range)€60-110 (US$65-120)
Métro / RER flat single ticket€2.50 (US$2.70)
Est. single-person monthly (excl. rent)€900-1,300 (US$980-1,415)
Good to know
Population
~2.1 million (Paris city); ~11 million (Île-de-France metro)
Languages
French (official); English spoken in business/tourism but less widely than expected
Currency
Euro (EUR); France is in the Eurozone
Time zone
Central European Time (GMT+1; GMT+2 in summer — observes daylight saving)
Power plug
Type E (French 2-pin + earth pin), 230V/50Hz
Climate
Temperate oceanic; mild but often grey and wet, warm summers, cool winters, rare snow
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Paris checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.