The cost of living in Paris is high, mostly because of rent. A SeLoger and MeilleursAgents barometer put average apartment rent at about €33.50 per m² in June 2026, so a single renter should plan for roughly €2,100 to €2,450 a month including rent, bills, food and transport.
Quick answer
A 40 m² one-bedroom at the average rate costs about €1,340 a month (my calculation), and user-submitted listings put one-bedrooms at about €1,086 outside the centre and €1,391 in the centre. Add roughly €1,050 for everything else. Figures were checked in October 2026.
Cost of living in Paris at a glance
| Item | Typical monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent per m² (apartments) | €33.50 | SeLoger / MeilleursAgents, June 2026 |
| Rent, 1-bedroom (centre / outside) | About €1,391 / €1,086 | Numbeo |
| Everything except rent, one person | About €1,046 | Numbeo |
| Utilities (85 m² flat) | About €221 | Numbeo |
| Broadband | About €27 | Numbeo |
| Monthly transport pass | About €90.80 | Numbeo |
Numbeo prices are submitted by users, and some commenters dispute its Paris figures, so treat them as a guide.
Rent in Paris
Multiply the average rent per m² by the size of the home to estimate a monthly rent. These are my calculations from the €33.50 figure, not listing prices:
| Home size | Estimated monthly rent |
|---|---|
| 25 m² studio | About €838 |
| 40 m² one-bedroom | About €1,340 |
| 50 m² flat | About €1,675 |
| 70 m² two-bedroom | About €2,345 |
Rents vary a lot by arrondissement and by whether the flat is furnished. Furnished lets usually cost more per month.
Rent control in Paris
Paris is one of the French cities where rent is limited by reference rents (loyers de référence), with a minimum and a maximum for each neighbourhood and type of home. Service-Public says landlords who break the rules can face a fine of up to €5,000 for an individual. Check the City of Paris site for the current table before you sign, and ask your landlord to state the reference rent on the lease.
Upfront costs when renting in Paris
- Deposit: normally one month’s rent for an unfurnished home and two months for a furnished one, under French tenancy law.
- Agency fees: a SeLoger guide says the tenant’s share is capped at €12 per m² in very tight zones such as Paris, plus €3 per m² for the inventory. That guide dates from 2017, so check current rules.
- Home insurance: tenants are normally required to insure the home before getting the keys.
- Documents: landlords usually ask for ID, payslips, a tax notice and a guarantor or accepted guarantee.
Never send money before you have verified the listing and the landlord or agency.
Monthly bills, food and transport
Numbeo users report about €221 a month for utilities in an 85 m² flat, about €27 for broadband, milk at €1.37 a litre, a dozen eggs at €3.94 and an inexpensive restaurant meal at about €17. A monthly all-zones Navigo pass costs about €90.80 in 2026, according to French press reports and Numbeo, so check the Île-de-France Mobilités site for the current price.
Sample monthly budget for one person
| Category | Lower estimate | Higher estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom) | €1,086 | €1,391 |
| Bills, food, transport and leisure | €1,046 | €1,046 |
| Total | About €2,132 | About €2,437 |
The €1,046 line is Numbeo’s estimate and already includes utilities and transport. Sharing a flat (colocation) can lower the rent line sharply.
How to save money in Paris
- Share a flat or rent a room in a colocation.
- Look at outer arrondissements and nearby suburbs with good metro or RER links.
- Compare furnished and unfurnished rent plus setup costs if you will stay for years.
- Check the reference rent before you accept a price.
- Compare other European cities such as London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Madrid.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Paris
How much does it cost to live in Paris per month?
A single renter should plan for roughly €2,100 to €2,450 a month. That combines user-submitted one-bedroom rents of about €1,086 to €1,391 with about €1,046 for other costs. Sharing a flat lowers the total.
What is the average rent in Paris?
A SeLoger and MeilleursAgents barometer put average apartment rent at about €33.50 per m² in June 2026. At that rate a 40 m² one-bedroom would be about €1,340 a month.
How much is the deposit when renting in Paris?
Under French tenancy law the deposit is normally one month of rent for an unfurnished home and two months for a furnished one. Agency fees for the tenant are also capped; check current rules before signing.
Is rent controlled in Paris?
Yes. Paris is one of the French cities where rent is limited by reference rents with a minimum and a maximum for each neighbourhood. Check the City of Paris site for the current table.
Can you live on 1,000 euros a month in Paris?
It is very difficult. Numbeo users estimate about €1,046 a month for non-rent costs alone for one person, before any rent. Shared housing and student accommodation are the usual ways to keep costs down.
Sources
- BoursedesCrédits, Paris rents June 2026 (SeLoger and MeilleursAgents barometer)
- Numbeo, cost of living in Paris (user-submitted, 24 October 2026)
- Service-Public, rent control (encadrement des loyers)
- SeLoger, are rental agency fees capped?
