Skyline of Paris
Cost of Living: 120 2,161,000

Paris, France

The City of Light, a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture with iconic landmarks and world-class museums.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 120

Above Average vs France Avg (100)

Housing Index 180

Very Expensive

Median Income €42,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.5%

Job market health

Paris vs France Average

Cost of Living
Paris: 120
France Avg: 100
Housing Index
Paris: 180
France Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Paris: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €42,000
  • Unemployment: 6.5%
  • Population: 2,161,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 79°F
  • Winter Low: 36°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: €650,000
  • 1BR Rent: €1400/mo

Cost of Living

Paris's cost of living index is 120 (France average = 100).

CategoryParisNational AverageDifference
Overall120100+20.0%
Housing180100+80.0%

Data source: INSEE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€650,000
Median Rent (1BR)€1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft€433

Data source: SeLoger / MeilleursAgents, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Paris:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€62Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€35Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€237Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CRE, EDF, Veolia, ARCEP 2025

Remote Work Score

Paris scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
120
Rent
€1400
Sunny Days
180
Tax
30%
Unemployment
6.5%
Climate
79°F / 36°F
Safety
1.3 homicides/100k
Population
2,161,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Paris has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January56°F36°F2.5"
April64°F51°F2.8"
July79°F54°F1.5"
October59°F54°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Paris faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat waves.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine region with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Seine River flooding.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Occasional tornadoes.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Mediterranean region (Corsica, Provence) with wildfires.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Alpine and mountainous regions with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

France experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.8% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Paris per 100,000 residents:

697.3
Violent Crime
2,553.8
Property Crime
1.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Academic Year September to July
Term System Trimester — Rentrée (Sep-Dec), Hiver (Jan-Mar), Printemps (Apr-Jul)
Summer Break July to September (8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (2 weeks, zone-based)

France has 3 academic zones that stagger holiday schedules. No school on Wednesdays in many areas.

Universities & Higher Education

36
Universities
#31
Top University Rank
5
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University Paris-Saclay University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Paris, France?

The cost of living index in Paris is 120, which is Higher the France national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Paris?

The median home price in Paris is €650,000. The housing index is 180.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Paris is approximately €1400/mo.

Does Paris, IDF have income tax?

Paris is in IDF, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Paris?

Paris enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 79°F, while winter lows can drop to around 36°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INSEE / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: SeLoger / MeilleursAgents, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INSEE Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities CRE, EDF, Veolia, ARCEP 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.