A Complete Guide: Cost of Living in Paris for International Students in 2024-25

Paris, France is a city of dreams without any doubt. It is hard to find a person who does not know about Paris. It is the capital of France and one of the global cities on the earth. Besides, Paris is one of the top travel destinations for international tourists. According to reports, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is the most popular monument in the world. Other travel destinations in Paris are also worth visiting. 

Paris is also popular among the career-oriented people. Many people from different parts of the world do jobs in Paris. In Paris, there is a good scope of business also. Various employers in Paris are active in offering jobs to people from around the world. Many big brands are located in France such as L'Oréal and Garnier. 

Besides, many international students come to study in Paris. Paris boasts various prestigious universities. Institute Polytechnique de Paris is the top university in Paris. This institute ranks 46th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. 

After coming to Paris, international students need to manage their living expenses. It is good if they know about this in advance. Paris is a global city, so the costs of some things may be high. So, here, we will provide information on the cost of living in Paris. 

Costs of Groceries 

Groceries are the major items for households. Students will need them prominently when they will start living in Paris. Here are the costs of some grocery items in Paris. 

Regular milk (1 liter): €1.39 

A loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams): €1.84 

White rice (1 kg): €2.48 

Local cheese (1 kg): €21.74 

Tomatoes (1 kg): €3.68 

Potatoes (1 kg): €2.29 

Onions (1 kg): €2.38 

Lettuce (1 head): €1.52 

Apples (1 kg): €3.25 

Bananas (1 kg): €2.15 

Oranges (1 kg): €3.37 

Water (1.5 liter bottle): €0.80 

Cost of Eating Out 

You would also like to visit restaurants in Paris for eating out. French food is popular for its variety and the use of fresh ingredients. Besides, it is also famous for its variety. 

If you go to an inexpensive restaurant in Paris, you need to spend €18 in Paris. Two people’s meals in a midrange restaurant costs €70. You can also visit McDonald’s in Paris. In Mcdonald's, you can get McMeal at €12. 

Cost of Public Transport 

Paris is one of the most-visited travel destinations in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most renowned monument among the worldwide tourists. Students also like to spend some of their quality time in traveling. Therefore, it is necessary for them to know about the cost of transport in Paris. Besides, if your institute is far from your accommodation, then also, you will also need public transport. 

Therefore, the cost of public transport will be worth mentioning. A single travel ticket in Paris costs €2.10. Through this ticket, you can travel via the metro, bus, or RER. Students under 26 can get the discounted pass at €342 with €8 administration fees. This pass provides unlimited travel in the Paris region. Limited passes of 24 hours are available on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays. The cost of this pass is €4. The cost of taxis is €1.50 per kilometer. You can visit other cities in France for around €30 per ticket by train. 

Cost of Accommodation 

Accommodation is a major requirement for international students in Paris. You can book accommodation in advance through online sources from your hometown. There are different accommodation options in Paris to choose from. 

An on-campus accommodation can be rented between €500 and €800 per month. There are numerous off-campus student accommodations also available in Paris. You can get a low-cost off-campus student accommodation at €390 per month. The highest-priced accommodation is available here at €1,560 per month. You can get it with single-occupancy and double-occupancy options. These accommodations are located in the student housing complexes. 

A private apartment is another option you can rent in Paris. The apartment accommodations are available in several price ranges. It starts from around €500 per month and goes above €10,000 per month. 

Another option for students in Paris is the homestay. You can rent a room or space in a family in Paris. It facilitates you to see the French culture closely. The rents of homestays in Paris are from €25 per night to €105 per night. 

Costs of Utilities 

However, many accommodations at utility bills in their rents but you may need to pay them in some places. The total cost of basic utilities in an 85m2 apartment is €233.35. The basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. You can buy a mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data at €15.84. 

You may get the internet here at €30.92 for 60 MBPS or more or unlimited data. You can also get cable/ADSL internet at this price.  

Endnotes 

These are the costs provided for students coming to Paris for 2024-25 sessions. However, these costs are tentative and are subject to change at the time of your visit.