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Cost of living in Paris: Food, transport, and more
The cost of living in Paris is one of the highest in Europe. Want to know why? We'll tell you the factors that have the greatest influence.
Maybe you’re planning to spend some time in France and wonder about the cost of living in Paris in 2025. Here you’ll find a complete guide to plan your trip and stay in the French capital. We’ll analyse current prices for accommodation, whether in a hotel, furnished apartment or private room. We’ll also cover supermarket shopping, dining out, transport fares and healthcare services.
Finally, we’ll give you advice on how to get the best internet connection in Paris to work remotely or make video calls anywhere in the city. We’ll also look at leisure activities Paris offers. Bon voyage à Paris!
Average cost of accommodation in Paris
Let’s start this guide to the cost of living in Paris with one major concern across Europe: rental prices. Although it’s a city with a high quality of life, one major drawback is housing costs. This is where you’ll spend the most during your stay.
The cheapest choices are shared flats or coliving spaces, since they usually include all bills. Digital nomads and students often choose these options, with coworking areas and high-speed internet. However, if you prefer more privacy in a private flat or the comfort of a hotel, expect higher costs:
- Furnished flat: On Propestar, a furnished studio in the 11th District costs $892 (€765). A two-bedroom in the 16th District costs $2,160 (€1,850).
- Room: Share a flat in areas like Belleville or Bastille for $580–1,008 (€500–864) monthly.
- Coliving: At Hife Coliving in the 11th District, a private room with coworking costs $1,400 (€1,200) monthly, bills included.
- Airbnb: Furnished apartments in central Paris start from $150 (€128) per night.
- Hotel: On Booking, you’ll find hotels in the 11th District from $75 (€65) per night, or in central 4th District at Hotel D’ Win from $156 (€134).
Food costs in Paris
Another key element for estimating your cost of living in Paris is food. You’ll save money shopping weekly at supermarkets like Carrefour, Monoprix or Franprix, which offer promotions and own-brand products. Here’s a sample shopping list:
- Water (1.5 L): $0.90 (€0.80)
- Baguette: $1.02 (€0.90)
- Apples (1 kg): $3.96-5.09 (€3.50-4.50)
- Bananas (1 kg): $2.26-3.96 (€2.00-3.50)
- Eggs (12 units): $3.96-4.52 (€3.50-4.00)
- Milk (1 L): $1.24-2.26 (€1.10-2.00)
- Chicken fillet (1 kg): $13.56 (€12.00)
- Beef (1 kg): $20.34-22.68 (€18-20)
- Local cheese (1 kg): $15.82-20.34 (€14-18)
When abroad, it’s common to taste local cuisine cooked by native chefs. So here’s a sample menu for a full day in traditional Parisian restaurants like Le Mansart or Vins des Pyrénées:
| Type of Meal | Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Pain aux raisins pastry with coffee | $5.85 (€5.00) |
| Food | Coq au Vin (chicken stewed in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and onions) | $16.00 (€13) |
| Dinner | Pot-au-feu (beef and vegetable stew) | $20.00 (€18) |
Typical menu at a Parisian restaurant.
Transport prices in Paris
Transport is another factor in the cost of living in Paris. Public transport is quite affordable. You can move easily by tram, bus, bike or even on foot. Most attractions lie within a three to five kilometre radius. Let’s explore the main options!
Public transport
The metro is the fastest way to travel Paris, with 14 lines and long hours. A ticket costs $2.90 (€2.50) and allows transfers for 120 minutes. Buses and trams are better for short distances, though traffic may slow you down. A bus ticket costs $2.35 (€2.00), valid 90 minutes. You can also buy daily passes for $14.00 (€12.00) or monthly ones for $102 (€88.80) with the Navigo card.
Taxi and Uber
A taxi from the airport to central Paris costs about $65 (€55). Uber rides are cheaper, starting from $10 (€9.00). This option is pricier than buses or metro, but more comfortable. Use it for short rides or emergencies.
Bike rentals
A sustainable alternative is renting a bike for $1.98 (€1.70) daily or $9.35 (€8.00) weekly. If you’ll use it often, subscribe monthly for $10.85 (€9.30).
Buy a new vehicle
You can also buy a new car if staying long term and want to explore nearby. A popular model is the Dacia Sandero, starting at $17,859 (€15,300). Remember to add these costs:
- Petrol: $2.05/litre (€1,757)
- Diesel: $1.98/litre (€1.70)
- Electric charge: $1.95 (€1.65) per 100 km
- Mandatory insurance: from $233 (€200) monthly, depending on profile and history.
Healthcare costs
Let’s look at healthcare costs in Paris. As a foreigner, you can access the public system, PUMA, if you reside legally for at least three months or work for a local company. EU citizens can also use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The system is complemented by mutuelle policies covering costs not reimbursed by the state.
You can also buy private health insurance. International provider Intermundial offers weekly plans from $35–70 (€30–60) or annual cover from $175–408 (€150–350). Here’s a summary of common costs:
| Medical services | Approximate cost without insurance | Social security cover | Mutuelle cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| General medical consultation | $28 (€25) | 70% | 30% |
| Consultation with a specialist | $57 (€50) | 70% | 30% |
| Dentist consultation | $34–$57 (€30–€50) | 70% | 30% |
| Appendicitis surgery: | $5,165–$7,460 (€4,500–€6,500) | 80–100% | Remaining |
| Paracetamol (500 mg): | $1.55 (€1.35) | 100% | – |
| Ibuprofen (400 mg): | $1.55 (€1.35) | 100% | – |
Healthcare costs in Paris.
Internet and call plan prices
Paris offers competitive internet costs compared with other European cities. Many operators provide fibre packages across the capital. Here are some common choices:
- Sosh Fibre Orange: $28.70 (€25.99) for 1 Gbit/s / 800 Mbit/s
- RED Box Fibre: $22.95 (€20.99) for 1 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s
- B&You Pure Fibre: $27.55 (€23.99) for 8 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s
- Free Mobile: unlimited data for $22.95 (€20) monthly
- Orange: up to 100 GB for $22.95 (€20) monthly
- La Poste Mobile: 130 GB for $12.85 (€10.99) monthly
For stable 5G connection anywhere in Paris, we recommend Holafly’s eSIM for France. It’s ideal for short stays since you pay only for the days you need.
The best way to start a trip is forgetting about searching for Wi-Fi to connect online, or worrying if your bill rises with roaming use. For this, Holafly monthly plans for long stays offer a monthly subscription from 25 GB to unlimited data, with no commitments and no extra costs. Unlimited plans cost from $50.50 monthly and allow multiple device connections. Plus, you can travel to over 170 destinations with the same eSIM!
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Leisure costs in Paris
You’ll never get bored here! The cost of living in Paris for leisure activities is similar to other European cities for zoo, theatre, or museum tickets. The most famous attraction, Disneyland Paris, will affect your budget most, but it’s unmissable. Here are some prices:
- Cinema: $11.50–$13 (€10–€12)
- Theatre: $17–$35 (€15–€30)
- Zoo: $25 (€22) adults, $19 (€17) children
- Palace of Versailles: free under 26, otherwise $36 (€32) Louvre Museum:
- Louvre Museum: if you want to see the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, you will need to pay an entrance fee of $25 (€22).
- Eiffel Tower: to reach the very top and admire it from the inside, the cost is around $41 (€36) for an adult and from $10 (€9.00) for children.
- Notre-Dame: Free entry. Towers $8.50 (€7.30), crypt $6.00 (€5.15)
- Disneyland Paris: From $68 (€58) low season for one day, $198 (€170) two days
- Seine boat tour: from $19 (€17)
- Streaming: Netflix from $8 (€6.99) monthly
After reviewing the main factors behind the cost of living in Paris, we see accommodation raises expenses the most. This makes Paris one of the most expensive European capitals, surpassing Madrid or Lisbon.
You’ll live comfortably with a monthly budget of $2,685–3,735 (€2,300–3,200) per person, depending on lifestyle and accommodation choice. Living in Paris costs more, but offers unmatched quality of life in food, culture, transport and services.
FAQs about Paris’s cost of living
The cost of living in Paris is among the highest in Europe, along with London and Zurich, above cities like Madrid or Berlin.
Yes, cooking at home and shopping at supermarkets like Carrefour helps reduce food costs.
Yes, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card if you’re from the EU, though some copayments apply. Residents and employees of local companies can also access the French healthcare system.
Definitely. The city offers excellent digital infrastructure, numerous coworking spaces and a huge cultural scene.
