Cost of Living In Paris: Tips For Saving Money

Pinching pennies as the cost of living in Paris bites? Check out our guide to the best ways to save money in the French capital!

Times are difficult out there for many. As prices for essentials soar across the globe, many of us are tightening the pursestrings and rethinking how we have been, and are, spending our hard earned money. Paris is already one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, and if you’re evaluating your budget, know that you’re not alone.

This week on the Paris Teachers Club blog, our seasoned city insiders have provided their best tips for saving money as the cost of living in Paris soars.

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Outlining a cost of living budget

Writing out a budget that you can physically see and refer to is so important when cutting expenses during a cost of living crisis. Whether it’s a handwritten list or an Excel spreadsheet, being able to fill in your expenses and to see where your money is going each month is paramount. 

List out all of your necessary monthly expenses that are unavoidable – rent, utilities, debts, food, transport – and how much each costs you. For food, set yourself a weekly budget that is enough for your household. If you want to go a step further, make a food roster consisting of what you’ll eat for your main meals each day. This is really handy when trying to estimate the cost of ingredients, and when planning your food budget allowance each month. It’s also helpful in having a physical list of meals to refer to when you are tempted to order in, or to meal prep days in advance to save time – a lifesaver when you’re tired after work! 

Once you’ve listed out all of your necessary expenses, subtract this total from your monthly net salary and you’ll see how much money you have left over each month. It’s definitely recommended to put some of this away. Having a financial safety net during a cost of living crisis will provide much needed security. But knowing what you have left over at the end of the month can also allow you to buy other things you need, but that aren’t essential, once in a while. 

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Now let’s jump into each relevant essential, and how you can save money on each to tackle the rising cost of living in Paris...

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Groceries 

Eating out in Paris is expensive. When you’re cutting costs, we know it’s difficult, but this should be kept to a rare treat. If you add up that morning coffee on the way to work (and your afternoon caffeine hit too), it can go into the thousands of Euros spent a year. Time to make your coffee and lunch at home or at work!  

Regarding grocery shopping, buying items when they are reduced or on special can help you save a lot. Often, supermarkets heavily reduce fresh foods around dinner time, like meat, which you can buy for a steal and freeze at home. E.Leclerc and Leader Price are two French supermarket chains that will see your hard earned money go further. E.Leclerc has been found by recent studies to be the cheapest supermarket chain in France. There are very few in Paris but it is definitely worth trying their home delivery solution which is as cheap as discount stores such as Lidl and Aldi but with a high quality of goods and wide selections.

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Transport 

If you take the Paris Metro or city buses every day, you could be saving money on your fare. Look into weekly or monthly passes, which allow unlimited travel in select zones. The Navigo Easy Pass is Paris’ replacement for paper tickets and is available to purchase at any Metro, RER, or Transilien station. This is a handy all-in-one card that can be used on the Paris Metro as well as on buses and trams in the capital. These cards can be topped up, and you can even load up 10-packs of reduced price rides, which is a lifesaver when saving money in Paris. 

Another great way to save money on transport is to walk! Paris is a fantastic, compact city to walk around, and Parisians love walking. If something you need to access is within walking distance of your home or work, save a day’s fare on your Navigo Easy Pass and hit the pavement. Not only will you be saving money, but you’ll be investing in your physical and mental health too! 

Finally, avoid taxis where possible, as their fares can be loaded with hidden extras and additional charges, particularly during peak times. 

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Housing and rent  

Rent (or a mortgage) is where most of your monthly income will go to when living in Paris. Paris is regularly ranked in the top 5 most expensive cities in the world to reside in, and one of the biggest expenses here is keeping a roof over your head. Rent is very pricey – often more than half of some people’s monthly wage – and this is sadly often unavoidable as housing can be difficult to obtain, especially as a newcomer to the city. 

The further out of the city centre you live, it goes without saying that your rent will be lower. So if you’re willing to make the move, or to downsize, this is an option. So is sharing with roommates – or renting out your spare bedroom. This is something that many people are doing these days to make their money go further. Being realistic about your housing expenses, and where you can afford to trim the fat, is key. 

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Bills 

Choose utility retailers that offers locked-in lower rates, and if you have a concession card, let them know. Many utility retailers offer discounts off your bills upon presentation of a concession card. Switch off devices and power outlets when they aren’t in use, as well as lights, as these can be a drain on bills. The same goes for heating and cooling. Invest in a cost-effective, energy-saving heating or cooling system to see you through the peaks of summer and the depths of winter, and only run it when absolutely needed. Appliances that constantly run only add to your bills.

Regarding your mobile phone and home internet, speak to your current provider about more affordable plans if you are in a contract. Often you’ll never use all of the call minutes or data you’re paying for each month, and there could be room to downsize. Alternatively, if you can get out of your contract – or it’s coming to an end – downsize to a prepaid service that means you only need to top up your phone or Internet when you need more data. This can save hundreds a year, and you’ll be free of yet another contract. 

If you have debts, it is worth negotiating with the individual or business your owe, particularly if the cost of living crisis is hitting hard. Many institutions offer debt relief for a set period of time, which allows you anywhere from a month to a few months of respite before resuming your monthly obligations. 

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Entertainment and fun

Once the essentials are covered and you’ve saved a little from your monthly pay packet, you will now have a better idea of how much money you have left over to enjoy yourself. After all, you’re living in Paris, and everyone needs to treat themselves from time to time. Life isn’t just about paying bills!

One of the best things about living in Paris during the cost of living crisis is that the city itself provides the ultimate entertainment, and so much of it can be experienced for FREE! You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy all that this magnificent city has to offer. Sometimes you don’t even have to spend a cent!

Many of our greatest monuments and landmarks are entirely free to visit, and the city is a joy to simply wander around. Pack yourself a simple picnic and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in one of the many public parks and gardens in Paris. Have a fun, impromptu photoshoot with a friend, using our world renowned streets as the ultimate backdrop. Watch the nightly Eiffel Tower Light Show from the Champ de Mars. Pay your respects to icons such as Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde at Père Lachaise Cemetery. Marvel at the grand interior of Montmartre’s Sacre Coeur. People watch in one of Paris’ many public squares. Spend a Sunday afternoon walking the leafy 4.5km Promenade Plantée that provides superb Paris rooftop views. All of these activities are entirely free!

If you love museums (Paris is absolutely brimming with them), but can’t justify the entry fee on your new budget, you’re also in luck! Many Paris museums are completely free to visit, including the Musée Carnavalet, which is a personal favourite of our founder, Kathryn. If you hold a concession card, student card or teacher card, many museums in Paris that have an entry fee, such as The Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée d’Orsay and Rodin Museum, will give you a discount. Finally, on the first Sunday of every month, most of Paris’ most famous museums (plus many more!) are ENTIRELY FREE to visit! It’s part of the city’s vow to allow everyone to enjoy the magnificent art that calls the French capital home.

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What are your best tips for saving money during the cost of living crisis in Paris?

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