Cost of living in United States compared to France
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (€18) | €18 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 (€10) | €11 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.44 (€4.91) | €7 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.05 (€0.95) | €1.41 | - 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.30 (€3.88) | €5.23 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.46 (€4.03) | €3.27 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (€6) | €7 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.97 (€3.58) | €2.71 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.06 (€1.86) | €2.02 | - 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.26 (€2.95) | €2.48 | + 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (€15) | €9 | + 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.85 (€2.57) | €2.31 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.66 (€2.40) | €1.49 | + 62% | |
| Housing | + 56% | |||
| Housing in United States is 56% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,881 (€2,599) | €1,573 | + 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,195 (€1,980) | €1,439 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $219 (€198) | €222 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,007 (€1,811) | €1,127 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,523 (€1,374) | €869 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $158 (€143) | €114 | + 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 (€56) | €25 | + 125% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $274 (€247) | €357 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $145 (€131) | €180 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (€13) | €9 | + 45% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (€29) | €16 | + 77% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 11% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (€51) | €98 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $55 (€49) | €43 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $99 (€89) | €103 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $136 (€123) | €121 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 8% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,158 (€26,305) | €30,827 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.97 (€0.88) | €1.89 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (€70) | €66 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 100% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 100% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (€8) | €3.03 | + 169% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 (€22) | €7 | + 233% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $161 (€145) | €29 | + 394% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (€8) | €4.13 | + 89% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.86 (€4.39) | €4.34 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (€5.76) | €3.99 | + 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.77 (€4.30) | €2.49 | + 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.42 (€2.18) | €3.31 | - 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (€26) | €24 | + 8% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 20% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United States | France | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $59 (€53) | €43 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (€26) | €25 | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $214 (€193) | €132 | + 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $100 (€90) | €77 | + 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (€13) | €12 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.75 (€5.19) | €4.81 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (€6) | €8 | - 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $506 (€456) | €657 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.57 (€0.51) | €0.32 | + 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $64 (€58) | €31 | + 84% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (€9) | €12 | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 19% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 18, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.902
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,259 prices entered by 2,366 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 19% more expensive than in France
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is about the same as in France
- Cost of living in Argentina is 28% cheaper than in France
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 45% more expensive than in France
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in France
- Cost of living in Albania is 43% cheaper than in France
- Cost of living in Armenia is 34% cheaper than in France
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in France
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in France