Cost of living in United States compared to France
Currency:
| Food | + 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 7% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (€19) | €20 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (€11) | €12 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.40 (€5.12) | €7 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.05 (€1.00) | €1.36 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.41 (€4.19) | €4.97 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.46 (€4.23) | €3.60 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (€7) | €8 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.91 (€3.71) | €2.69 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.03 (€1.93) | €2.17 | - 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.85 (€3.65) | €2.19 | + 67% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (€17) | €9 | + 91% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.85 (€2.71) | €2.61 | + 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.58 (€2.45) | €1.45 | + 69% | |
| Housing | + 73% | |||
| Housing in United States is 73% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,854 (€2,711) | €1,628 | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,117 (€2,011) | €1,357 | + 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $221 (€210) | €185 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,053 (€1,950) | €895 | + 118% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,518 (€1,441) | €729 | + 98% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $156 (€148) | €124 | + 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $60 (€57) | €26 | + 118% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $264 (€251) | €317 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $146 (€138) | €160 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (€14) | €11 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (€31) | €17 | + 78% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 9% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 (€54) | €96 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $54 (€51) | €47 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $102 (€97) | €104 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $139 (€132) | €117 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in United States is about the same as in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,797 (€28,302) | €27,824 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.94 (€0.89) | €1.82 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (€76) | €69 | + 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 112% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 112% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (€9) | €3.03 | + 181% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (€22) | €7 | + 227% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $167 (€159) | €27 | + 490% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (€8) | €5.51 | + 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.98 (€4.73) | €4.25 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (€6) | €4.29 | + 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.90 (€4.66) | €2.66 | + 75% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 (€2.22) | €2.82 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (€28) | €24 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 27% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 27% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 (€57) | €45 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (€28) | €24 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $232 (€220) | €104 | + 112% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $101 (€96) | €75 | + 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (€14) | €12 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.81 (€5.52) | €4.59 | + 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (€7) | €7 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $487 (€463) | €657 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.48 (€0.45) | €0.27 | + 66% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $65 (€61) | €31 | + 96% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (€10) | €12 | - 17% | |
| TOTAL | + 28% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.950
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,668 prices entered by 2,352 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 28% more expensive than in France
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