Moving to Paris, France in 2026

Considering relocating to Paris? Expect rent from $1422/month, one of the safer cities in its region, French is the main language; English is manageable in urban areas. This page covers cost of living, safety, weather, residency options, and everything else settlers want to know before signing a lease.

🇫🇷 Paris, France

Compare
2.1M peopleLivability: 74/100 · #20 of 6760% cheaper than NYC
How the Livability Score is calculated
Affordability
15.2/25 ptsNumbeo
Violent Crime
13.4/15 ptsUNODC
Perceived Safety
4.2/10 ptsNumbeo
Internet
12.9/15 ptsOokla
Democracy
12.1/15 ptsEIU
English
6/10 ptsEF EPI
Climate
9.3/10 ptsNumbeo
Stability
8/10 ptsWorld Bank

Total: 81.1 / 110 raw pts → normalized to 74/100

It's 4:44 PM in Paris

Perfect time for a mid-day break.

Affordability61/100
Safety71/100
Climate92/100
Connectivity86/100
Democracy81/100
English Ease60/100
Clear Days44%

Scores derived from: Numbeo (cost of living) · UNODC (crime) · Economist Intelligence Unit (democracy) · EF EPI (English) · Ookla/Speedtest (internet)

Weather in Paris

Spring

15°C

44% sunny

Summer

24°C

58% sunny

Fall

16°C

43% sunny

Winter

7°C

31% sunny

Best: Summer. Avoid: Winter if you dislike extremes.

Cost of Living in ParisNumbeo

Beer (0.5L)

$7.68

Cappuccino

$4.49

Cheap meal

$19.74

Fast food combo

$13.16

Bus/metro ticket

$2.36

Gym/month

$38

Internet/month

$34

Is it actually a democracy?

Democracy index: 8.07 (#23 globally)· Full democracy

Freedom House: 90/100

Press freedom rank: #21 of 180

Sources: EIU Democracy Index · Freedom House · RSF Press Freedom Index

Is Paris Safe?UNODC + Numbeo

71/100

Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (world average ~5.8)

Numbeo Safety Index: 42.0/100 (covers theft, property crime, perception)

Very safe. Crime exists in theory; you probably won't encounter it.

Residents report moderate concern about everyday crime. Watch your phone and bag in crowded areas.

Will the lights stay on?

Reliable
26% electricity from renewables
Rare outages

English in ParisEF EPI

Moderate

Primary language is French.

English works in business and tourist areas, but you'll want to pick up some local language for daily life.

For Russian/Ukrainian speakers: Indo-European — manageable

Who Has Offices in Paris?

CriteoDatadogBlaBlaCarUbisoftGoogleMetaAmazonMicrosoftMistral AICapgemini

Notable employers with offices in the city. Not exhaustive.

Is Paris Worth Moving To?

For

  • +Prices are stable. Your budget won't quietly evaporate month by month.

Against

  • Violent crime is low on paper, but petty crime — pickpocketing, phone snatching — is a real annoyance. Stay alert in crowded areas.

Can you actually live here?

Visa difficulty, time to residency, and what it takes to stay.

EU citizenEasy
US citizenModerate
RussianComplex
UkrainianEasy
5 years to permanent residency
5 years to citizenship
Work permit: Moderate
Compare all countries by visa difficulty →

What you can actually do here

Industries, employers, and how startup-friendly this place is.

Employment

fintechluxury fashionaerospaceai

Top university ranked #36 globally

Startup Scene

Ecosystem: Hub
VC: Strong

World Bank ease of doing business rank: #37

Corporate tax rate: 25%

Paris — Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paris safe?

Paris has a homicide rate of 1.6 per 100,000 people (source: UNODC), making it very safe. The world average is around 5.8 per 100,000. The Numbeo Crime Index is 58.0/100 (lower is safer), which reflects residents' self-reported concerns about property crime, theft, and everyday safety. As with any city, awareness of local neighborhoods is recommended before settling.

What is the cost of living in Paris?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Paris city centre costs around $1422/month (Numbeo data). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $19.74, monthly transit pass: $95. A single person can expect total monthly costs of roughly $1822–$2222 depending on lifestyle — covering rent, food, transport, and utilities.

What is the weather like in Paris?

Paris has Summers reach around 24°C, winters drop to around 2°C. Summers are warm and pleasant for most people.

Can you get by in Paris without knowing the local language?

Paris has Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI data). Basic interactions are possible in English in tourist and business areas, but learning some local language helps significantly.

Is Paris a good place to settle long-term?

Paris is in France, which scores 8.1/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Strong institutions and rule of law make it a stable choice for long-term settlement. Rent from $1422/month.

What is the job market like in Paris?

France has an unemployment rate of 7.5%, indicating a challenging job market; many expats rely on remote work or bring skills from abroad. For settlers planning to work locally, research your industry before committing. Remote workers and self-employed expats are less affected by local employment conditions.

Which companies have offices in Paris?

Notable companies with offices in Paris include Criteo, Datadog, BlaBlaCar, Ubisoft, Google, Meta. The city's job market spans tech, finance, and other sectors — check company career pages for current openings.

Is Paris good for expats?

Paris attracts expats looking for long-term relocation in France. Key facts: rent from $1422/month; France Talent Passport (complex process); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The Livability Score, safety data, and cost of living figures above give a data-driven picture of what to expect when settling here.

How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in France?

France offers the France Talent Passport program. Duration: Up to 4 years. Requirements: For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. Income and project viability assessed. This is a more involved process — professional immigration advice is recommended. Check the official government portal for the most up-to-date application process.

🇫🇷 Paris
Fast internet

Expenses

$2,406 / mo

🍔 That's 423 Big Macs/mo

winter

❄️ 7°C / ❄️ 2°C

summer

😊 24°C / ❄️ 14°C

Internet · Ookla Speedtest

172 Mbps

FR: 175 Mbps

France

Economics · World Bank / IMF

GDP per capita (PPP)2024

$62,557

GDP Growth2024

+1.2%

Inflation Rate2024

2.0%

Unemployment2025

7.5%

Gini Index2023

31.8 

Population2024

2,103,000

Politics · EIU Democracy Index

Democracy Index

8.0723rd

Regime

Full democracy

Safety · UNODC

Homicide per 100K

1.6

Language · EF EPI

Languages

French (I)

English Proficiency

Moderate43th

Data sources

Cost of living: Numbeo crowd-sourced data

Homicide rate: UNODC 2023

Crime perception index: Numbeo Crime Index

Democracy index: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Freedom House score: Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

Press freedom rank: RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025

GDP per capita: World Bank / IMF

English proficiency: EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI)

Internet speed: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

Grid reliability & renewables: IEA / national grid operators

Residency & visa data: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2705