Cost of living in France compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in France is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €18 ($20) | $19 | + 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($11) | $10 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €6 ($7) | $5.79 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.30 ($1.40) | $1.09 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.58 ($4.93) | $4.95 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.52 ($3.79) | $4.69 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 ($9) | $7 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.74 ($2.95) | $4.66 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.78 ($1.92) | $2.49 | - 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.81 ($1.95) | $3.15 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €9 ($10) | $16 | - 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.24 ($2.42) | $2.77 | - 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.21 ($1.30) | $2.99 | - 56% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in France is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,670 ($1,799) | $2,830 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,481 ($1,595) | $2,146 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €147 ($159) | $220 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €989 ($1,066) | $1,881 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €816 ($878) | $1,439 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €108 ($116) | $145 | - 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €23 ($25) | $64 | - 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €333 ($358) | $299 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €106 ($114) | $135 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €6 ($7) | $13 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €15 ($16) | $32 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | - 0% | |||
| Clothes in France is about the same as in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €80 ($86) | $54 | + 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €33 ($36) | $45 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €83 ($90) | $93 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €125 ($135) | $119 | + 14% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in France is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €26,302 ($28,329) | $27,884 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.87 ($2.01) | $1.05 | + 92% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €58 ($63) | $79 | - 20% | |
| Personal Care | - 47% | |||
| Personal Care in France is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.85 ($6) | $8 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €5.60 ($6) | $20 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €28 ($30) | $139 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.23 ($4.56) | $8 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.74 ($5.10) | $4.82 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.33 ($3.58) | $6 | - 43% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.69 ($2.89) | $4.77 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.33 ($2.51) | $2.25 | + 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €20 ($22) | $27 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 13% | |||
| Entertainment in France is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| France | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($47) | $55 | - 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €23 ($25) | $28 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €81 ($87) | $195 | - 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €59 ($63) | $90 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 ($11) | $14 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.94 ($4.25) | $5.20 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €7 ($7) | $6 | + 13% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €362 ($389) | $552 | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.28 ($0.30) | $0.21 | + 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €32 ($34) | $54 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €10 ($10) | $10 | + 3% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 10, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.077
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 23,293 prices entered by 3,030 different people.
Cost of living in France is 22% cheaper than in United States
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