Cost of Living in France

France Currency

The cost of living is slightly higher than in Germany. Paris is significantly more expensive than the rural regions. Rents in Paris in particular are exorbitantly high. But where else do you get this flair and unique architecture ?

You would need around € 4,913.89 in Paris to maintain the same standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).

  • Consumer prices in Paris are 27.21% higher than in Berlin (excluding rent)
  • Consumer prices including rent in Paris are 32.81% higher than in Berlin
  • Rental prices in Paris are 45.11% higher than in Berlin
  • Restaurant prices in Paris are 34.79% higher than in Berlin
  • Food prices in Paris are 50.01% higher than in Berlin
  • The local purchasing power in Paris is 16.28% lower than in Berlin

Average cost of living in Paris (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)

Restaurant Ø € Price € Price from / to
Food, price w. restaurant 15.00 8., 00 – 25.00
Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. 60.00 40.00 – 90.00
Local beer, 0.5 l 6.00 5.00 – 8.00
Imported beer, 0.33 l 6.00 4.00 – 8.00
cappuccino 3.78 2.00 – 5.00
Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) 3.12 2.00-4.00
Water (0.33 l) 2.32 1.50-4.00
Food Ø € Price € Price from / to
Milk (1 L) 1.07 0.80-1.57
White bread (500g) 1.84 1.00-4.00
Rice (white), (1kg) 2.05 1.00-3.50
Eggs (12) 3.81 1.80 – 6.00
Local cheese (1kg) 17.28 8.00-37.50
Chicken breast fillet (1kg) 12.36 6.00-20.00
Beef (1kg) 20.39 11.98-40.00
Apples (1kg) 2.88 1.90-4.00
Bananas (1kg) 2.01 1.48-3.00
Oranges (1kg) 2.85 1.00-4.00
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.14 1.60-5.00
Potatoes (1kg) 2.07 0.80-4.00
Onions (1kg) 2.64 1.00-4.62
Lettuce (1 head) 1.51 1.00-3.00
Water (1.5 l) 0.85 0.30-2.00
Bottle of wine (middle class) 7.50 3.71-15.00
Local beer (0.5 l) 1.88 0.80-3.03
Imported beer (0.33 l) 2.48 1.50-3.00

Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Paris (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)

Mode of Transport Ø € Price € Price from / to
One-time ticket 1.90 1.69-2.00
Monthly pass 75.00 70.00-78.00
Taxi base amount 5.00 2.60 – 7.00
Taxi 1 km 1.50 1.12-3.00
Ancillary housing costs Ø € Price € Price from / to
for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. 177.04 94.44-250.00
1 minute prepaid mobile tariff 0.22 0.05-0.50
Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) 26.98 20.00-39.90
Clothes, shoes Ø € Price € Price from / to
Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 94.16 60.00-120.00
Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… 37.37 20.00 – 60.00
Nike sports shoes, middle class 92.63 60.00-120.00
Leather business shoes 151.67 70.50-250.00
leisure time Ø € Price € Price from / to
Fitness center, month / adult 37.34 25.00 – 80.00
Tennis, 1 hour on weekends 19.34 9.00 – 35.00
a movie ticket 11.00 9.00-15.00
training Ø € Price € Price from / to
Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child 810.87 400.00 – 1,200.00
International primary school per year and child 15,400.00 8,000.00 – 25,000.00

To rent

Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Paris (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)

Monthly rental price Ø € Price € Price from / to
Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center 1,218.44 900.00 – 1,700.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center 856.88 650.00 – 1,200.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center 2,856.92 2,000.00 – 4,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center 1,814.30 1,200.00 – 2,800.00
Purchase price of apartments Ø € Price € Price from / to
Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase 13,517.94 11.00.00 – 16.700.00
Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase 10,329.64 8,000.00 – 13,000.00
wages Ø € Price € Price from / to
Average monthly salary (after taxes) 2,873.75

Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Lyon (from 06/2020 – 05/2021)

Monthly rental price Ø € Price € Price from / to
Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center 698.40 600.00 – 1,150.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center 490.53 400.00-680.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center 1,520.59 1,200.00 – 2,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center 1,107.69 1,000.00 – 1,500.00
Purchase price of apartments Ø € Price € Price from / to
Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase 5,100.00 4,500.00 – 6,000.00
Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase 3,043.75 2,000.00-4,000.00

Information about renting an apartment HERE.

Real estate acquisition and investments

When buying real estate, it should be noted that the privately written so-called preliminary contract can already have binding effect and, in case of doubt, also has. The purchase contract is concluded when the parties agree on the purchase item and price. Formal requirements do not have to be observed in principle.

There are only three cities that can be considered for pure investment purposes: Montpellier, Bordeaux and Toulouse. Invest behind the second belt of the suburbs, no more than 45 minutes from the center.

Foreigners from the EU can easily buy or rent real estate in France. However, it is an advantage to seek help from an experienced real estate agency. Below we present a recommendable company.

With experience since 2007 in the real estate sector Immobilien Lindstedt Management GmbH & Co.KG guarantees its customers a professional and personalized service. Great emphasis is placed on optimal customer service and on quality instead of quantity. The unique, innovative concept with an “all-round carefree” package is very popular with customers (in France and in 20 other hotspots worldwide).

Internet: Immobilien-Lindstedt.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel. In Germany: 0170/388 46 34

German-speaking lawyers and notaries

Vincent Schneegans – Lawyer for the following areas (also in cooperation with other lawyers)

  • Civil law, family law, inheritance law
  • Social and labor law
  • Business law
  • Procedural law, enforcement law
  • Insurance law, traffic accidents
  • Real estate law
  • copyright

Correspondence languages: German, English, French

Me Vincent Schneegans
Cabinet d’avocats
21, rue Sylvabelle
13006 Marseille
Tel.: 04 91 94 30 03
P.: 06 79 66 06 72
Fax: 04 91 63 08 67
[email protected]
If you are absent, please contact Jane Becker on 04 91 94 Call 30 06.

Move to France

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According to handbagpicks, emigrating to France is uncomplicated for Germans. However, one should have a good enough command of the French language. We therefore recommend either a light language course at home or a special language trip in order to optimally prepare for immigration. Two things are decisive for one’s own standard of living in France: well-paid work and cheap accommodation, which is not easy. France offers a lot for holidays, but there are some downsides to everyday life. Some advantages: high quality of life, proximity to Germany.

France Currency