Cost of living in France compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in France is about the same as in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €18 ($20) | $20 | + 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($13) | $11 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €7 ($7) | $5.42 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.41 ($1.56) | $1.05 | + 48% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €5.23 ($5.76) | $4.32 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.27 ($3.60) | $4.43 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 ($8) | $7 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.71 ($2.98) | $3.96 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €2.02 ($2.23) | $2.06 | + 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.48 ($2.73) | $3.25 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €9 ($10) | $17 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.31 ($2.54) | $2.84 | - 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.49 ($1.64) | $2.66 | - 39% | |
| Housing | - 36% | |||
| Housing in France is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,573 ($1,731) | $2,910 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,439 ($1,584) | $2,204 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €222 ($245) | $218 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,127 ($1,241) | $2,009 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €869 ($957) | $1,534 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €114 ($125) | $149 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 ($27) | $62 | - 56% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €357 ($393) | $274 | + 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €180 ($198) | $145 | + 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €9 ($10) | $14 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €17 ($18) | $32 | - 41% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in France is 12% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €98 ($108) | $57 | + 90% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €43 ($48) | $54 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €103 ($114) | $99 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €121 ($133) | $137 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in France is 8% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €30,827 ($33,939) | $29,106 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.89 ($2.08) | $0.97 | + 114% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €66 ($73) | $78 | - 6% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in France is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €3.03 ($3.34) | $9 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €7 ($7) | $25 | - 71% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €29 ($32) | $158 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.13 ($4.55) | $9 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.34 ($4.77) | $4.84 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.99 ($4.39) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.49 ($2.74) | $4.88 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €3.31 ($3.64) | $2.41 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 ($27) | $29 | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in France is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($48) | $59 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €25 ($27) | $29 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €132 ($145) | $214 | - 32% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €77 ($85) | $99 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 ($14) | $14 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.81 ($5.29) | $5.76 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €8 ($8) | $7 | + 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €657 ($723) | $507 | + 43% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.32 ($0.35) | $0.66 | - 47% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €31 ($35) | $64 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €12 ($13) | $10 | + 27% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 13, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.101
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,372 prices entered by 2,379 different people.
Cost of living in France is 17% cheaper than in United States
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