Cost of living in United States compared to France
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in France | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (€13) | €16 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (€7) | €8 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.32 (€3.98) | €6 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (€0.81) | €1.15 | - 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.00 (€2.77) | €4.44 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (€3.76) | €2.80 | + 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (€5.76) | €8 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.39 (€3.12) | €2.68 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.74 (€1.60) | €1.92 | - 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.21 (€2.95) | €2.03 | + 46% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (€13) | €9 | + 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.92 (€1.77) | €2.00 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.07 (€1.91) | €1.17 | + 64% | |
| Housing | + 13% | |||
| Housing in United States is 13% more expensive than in France | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,234 (€2,058) | €2,283 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,605 (€1,479) | €1,300 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $179 (€165) | €149 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,614 (€1,487) | €1,231 | + 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,141 (€1,051) | €942 | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $117 (€108) | €96 | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 (€44) | €23 | + 94% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $300 (€277) | €404 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $121 (€112) | €98 | + 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (€10) | €8 | + 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (€21) | €15 | + 40% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 10% cheaper than in France | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (€45) | €90 | - 50% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 (€41) | €34 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (€80) | €102 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $114 (€105) | €118 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 10% cheaper than in France | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,002 (€21,193) | €25,593 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.77 (€0.71) | €1.50 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (€73) | €71 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 56% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 56% more expensive than in France | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (€7) | €4.47 | + 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (€18) | €8 | + 128% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (€101) | €25 | + 309% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (€6) | €4.49 | + 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.51 (€3.23) | €4.04 | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.02 (€4.63) | €4.06 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.54 (€3.27) | €1.79 | + 82% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.85 (€1.70) | €2.06 | - 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (€20) | €23 | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | + 16% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 16% more expensive than in France | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (€42) | €37 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (€23) | €21 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $221 (€204) | €73 | + 180% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (€70) | €53 | + 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (€11) | €10 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.81 (€4.43) | €4.34 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.82 (€5.36) | €5.91 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $405 (€374) | €454 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.19 (€0.17) | €0.11 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (€49) | €43 | + 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (€7) | €9 | - 14% | |
| TOTAL | + 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.921
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 53,436 prices entered by 6,933 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 5% more expensive than in France
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