What Is the Average Rent in Paris? A Guide to Rental Prices

Living in Paris is a dream for many worldwide. But that dream can quickly lose its luster when you explore the cost of living in Paris. 

Paris can be an expensive place to live, and rent prices can really eat into your budget. The rental market is influenced by factors like the proximity to landmarks, public transportation, and local amenities. These can combine to make certain neighborhoods prohibitively expensive for some.

But despite the high costs in some areas, a wide range of options is available to suit different budgets and preferences. Once you understand the impact that location, size, and type of apartment all have on the price, you can still make your dream a reality.

This article explores the average rent in Paris, and the factors that influence it. We’ll also see some of the additional costs to prepare for on top of the rent itself. 

Here’s what you can expect when looking for an apartment in Paris.

What to know before renting in Paris?

Before we look at the average rent of Paris apartments, there are a few things to be aware of. 

Rent vs income

While not a legal requirement, renters in Paris are expected to budget up to 30% of their monthly salary for housing. In fact, most landlords will not give you an apartment if you don’t earn at least three times the monthly rent.

And you’ll need to show payslips or a healthy savings account to prove it. Despite this rule, some indexes show the average rent-to-income ratio in Paris at above 36%.

Based on the average monthly salary in Paris of €4,500, this allows €1,350 for rent each month. In reality, very few apartments are available for this amount inside the city limits.

Renters earning the average wage need to choose between living in a small studio, sharing their space with others (“colocation”), or moving outside the city.

Furnished vs unfurnished apartments

A key distinction is made between furnished and unfurnished apartments in Paris. This impacts the rental cost, but also your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. 

An unfurnished apartment will be cheaper. But you’ll likely need more insurance (to cover your belongings). Plus, you’ll need to buy furniture if you don’t already have it.

Furnished apartments have a higher average rent, but more is included. Particularly for short-term renters, the extra cost is worth it to avoid the hassle of buying and moving furniture, and taking electricity and internet contracts. 

Whichever you choose, carefully check what’s included in the contract. Most rental agreements in Paris have a standard structure, but you need to know your full costs from the outset. 

What is the average rent in Paris?

Many factors influence the rental rates in Paris. Prices vary based on elements such as: 

• Location: Some neighborhoods are more desirable (and therefore expensive) than others. Generally those towards the very center (or near attractions) are the highest priced.
• Size: Both the square meterage and the number of bedrooms contribute to the rental price.
• Type of rental: Whether an apartment is furnished or unfurnished is a key determinant of price.
• Duration of rental: Longer rentals will usually have a lower monthly average than short-term leases.

All of these factors mean that there aren’t any hard and fast rules for rental prices. But according to Se Loger, the average rents in Paris for unfurnished appartments are as follows: 

For example, if you wanted to rent a 25-square-meter studio, the average rent would be €897.5. And if you wanted to rent a two-bedroom apartment measuring 70 square meters, the average rent would be 2086€.

Furnished apartments

Furnished apartments are an ideal fit for fixed- and short-term renters. They’re also a good idea for the first year of your move, when you don’t know if you’ll love Paris or which neighborhoods you’ll spend all your time in. 

The average rent for a furnished apartment depends primarily on two factors: size (including number of bedrooms) and location.

Below is a table of the average rent by type of apartment (based on Paris Attitude data)

Browse furnished apartments in Paris using this interactive map

Other costs for renters in Paris

On top of the rent itself, there are additional expenses to factor into your accommodation budget. These can add up quickly, particularly at the beginning of a new rental agreement.

Security deposit (upfront)

The security deposit protects the landlord in the case of damage, unpaid rent, or other costs caused by the renter (you). The amount can vary, but the generally accepted amount depends on the type of rental: 

• Furnished apartment: two months’ rent
• Unfurnished apartment: one month’s rent

If there is no undue damage to the apartment during your stay, the deposit will be returned to you at the end of the lease. 

The deposit is due when you sign the lease, along with the next cost to consider.

First month’s rent (upfront)

You’ll be expected to pay the first month of rent in advance when you sign the contract. This is on top of the one or two months’ rent you pay as a deposit. 

Of course, this money pays the rent and is therefore not technically an additional cost. But you will need this amount plus the deposit in cash before you can sign and move in.

Agency fees (upfront)

Not all rental agreements in Paris involve agencies. It’s possible (and relatively common) to find a lease through online forums, friends, or local listings. 

But as a new arrival in Paris, you should expect to rent through an agency. Not only are they the easiest way to find a Paris apartment, they also ensure you avoid rental scams and have everything you need on day one. 

Agencies are free to set their own fees, subject to a few rules: 

• Fees must be clearly communicated before you sign the lease
• Both landlords and tenants should pay the fees, and the tenant cannot pay more than the landlord
• Fees must be within maximum limits per square meter

The square meter rule changes depending on the nature of the rental, but most agencies charge between €12-15/m².

There are often other services billed by agencies, and you can expect to pay an additional fee if the lease is renewed or extended. Again, fees must all be clearly communicated by the agency. 

Agency fees are also due at the time of signing the lease. 

Renter’s insurance (ongoing)

Home insurance is mandatory for the majority of renters in France. The conditions do vary slightly depending on the type of lease, and seasonal renters are not required to take insurance. 

Insurance contracts differ between furnished and unfurnished apartments. In general, the homeowner’s insurer covers more for a furnished apartment, because there’s more of the owner’s property to insure. This extends to damage caused by flooding, burglaries, and fire.

For unfurnished apartments, the tenant’s insurance is more likely to cover damages, particularly where the items harmed are your own property (and not the apartment itself).

Whatever form of rental you take, the owner will usually require proof of insurance before handing over the keys. So while this is an additional monthly expense, you’ll have to prepare it upfront as well. 

Utilities (ongoing)

Your utility costs will again depend on the type of rental you choose. While there are plenty of exceptions, the general arrangement is as follows:

• Furnished apartments: The owner manages the utility contracts and your bill is factored into the rent. This may (but doesn’t always) include internet and television charges.
• Unfurnished apartments: You choose your electricity and gas providers and pay them directly. The owner is not involved at all. 

You may also have additional installation and maintenance fees for utilities, although these should be clearly communicated in your agreement. 

This again makes furnished apartments an attractive prospect for expats in Paris. You won’t have to create contracts with French utilities companies, and any issues will be handled by the owner or agency. 

Furniture (upfront & ongoing)

If you choose a furnished apartment, you’ll have no furniture expenses to worry about. Everything you need to live comfortably should be provided. 

Renting an unfurnished apartment can be quite the opposite. You should expect nothing to be provided, even including light bulbs. If you don’t already own furniture, you need to factor in the cost of: 

• Beds, linen, and towels
• Living room furniture, including chairs, couches, and a dining table
• Electronics like a television and/or stereo
• Cooking equipment, including an oven, microwave, toaster, and anything else you require

Big retailers like IKEA and Leroy Merlin make it relatively easy to find these items. And many Parisians use second hand sites like leboncoin to keep costs and consumption down. 

Nonetheless, furnishing an apartment is a significant expense, and the moving process in a central Paris apartment is a logistical challenge. 

If you’re not planning to be in your apartment (or Paris) for a long time, a furnished apartment is usually the best choice. Even though the monthly rent is usually higher, you avoid so many other costs and hassles along the way.

How to pay less than average rent in Paris?

Parisians expect to spend around (and even above) 30% of their income on rent. This makes Paris one of the 10 most expensive European cities to rent in, compared against salaries. 

But as we’ve seen, plenty of factors influence the final asking price. And there are ways to keep your own rental costs low:

• Look outside the city center. Neighborhoods like St Germain, Le Marais, and the 7th arrondissement are quintessentially Paris. But they come with a price tag. Consider up-and-coming arrondissements like the 19th and 20th, which are still well connected and plenty to offer. Paris isn’t a huge city geographically, and getting around is easy. 
• Prepare a strong portfolio. Renting can be competitive — especially if you don’t use an agency. And the biggest difference maker is your dossier: the documents that tell your story as a tenant. Always prepare this in full to put your best foot forward.
  When a great rental opportunity arises, you don’t want to miss it because of a poor portfolio. 
• Think about the total cost. Rent is just one factor in cost of living. Once you bundle in those added expenses we’ve seen above — plus transport, childcare, entertainment, and more — there’s often more to the story. Before you rent, set out your total budget and see how it shifts based on where you settle.
  
  For example, an unfurnished apartment will be cheaper on paper. But once you bundle up all those set-up costs, it can quickly become more expensive. And if you’re only staying for a year or less, it’s likely not worth it. 

Finally, ask for help. Despite what you may have heard, you’re very unlikely to find a great deal on your own. Expat-friendly agencies can help you choose the neighborhood and secure accommodation that fits you perfectly. 

Get help finding your dream Paris apartment here.