Cost of living in United States compared to France
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 11% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (€19) | €20 | - 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (€11) | €11 | - 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.93 (€5.19) | €6 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (€0.95) | €1.15 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.62 (€4.92) | €4.84 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.83 (€4.23) | €3.05 | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (€7) | €8 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.23 (€3.70) | €2.83 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.30 (€2.01) | €2.10 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.70 (€3.23) | €2.26 | + 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (€16) | €10 | + 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.94 (€2.57) | €2.52 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.01 (€2.63) | €1.33 | + 97% | |
| Housing | + 56% | |||
| Housing in United States is 56% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,070 (€2,685) | €1,771 | + 52% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,361 (€2,065) | €1,460 | + 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $237 (€207) | €250 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,222 (€1,943) | €1,160 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,628 (€1,424) | €854 | + 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $168 (€147) | €120 | + 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 (€54) | €24 | + 127% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $251 (€220) | €255 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $150 (€131) | €120 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (€13) | €9 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (€29) | €15 | + 101% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 10% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (€51) | €82 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (€43) | €40 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $106 (€93) | €104 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $141 (€123) | €96 | + 28% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in United States is about the same as in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,916 (€27,040) | €31,875 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 (€0.82) | €1.76 | - 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (€75) | €61 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 55% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 55% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (€8) | €10 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (€21) | €18 | + 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $167 (€146) | €26 | + 460% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (€8) | €6 | + 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.29 (€4.63) | €4.56 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (€6) | €4.56 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.05 (€4.41) | €2.28 | + 94% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.37 (€2.07) | €3.78 | - 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (€27) | €24 | + 14% | |
| Entertainment | + 46% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 46% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (€54) | €45 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 (€27) | €22 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $234 (€205) | €105 | + 96% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (€91) | €63 | + 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (€13) | €12 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (€5.27) | €3.92 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (€7) | €7 | - 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $464 (€406) | €502 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.52 (€0.45) | €0.14 | + 212% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $70 (€62) | €30 | + 109% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (€10) | €12 | - 20% | |
| TOTAL | + 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.875
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,778 prices entered by 1,965 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 27% more expensive than in France
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