Why Paris Attracts Foreign Property Buyers: Is The Enduring Appeal of the City of Light Affordable?

Christine Bacoup-Tidas
Jun 11
3 min read

For many, Paris is more than a destination—it’s a dream. Paris represents freedom, beauty, and a refined way of life. And while it has its real-world challenges (bureaucracy, cultural differences...), the emotional and aesthetic appeal is deeply powerful. For many, buying property in the French capital is not only a lifestyle upgrade, but also a strategic investment. But what makes the City of Light such a consistent magnet and is it expensive to live in Paris? Let's explore.

🥐 Timeless Lifestyle Appeal

Paris offers a lifestyle that’s difficult to replicate: leisurely café breakfasts, fresh produce markets, world-class museums, and a walkable cityscape steeped in history. Paris ranks consistently in the top five international cities for lifestyle quality, alongside London and Geneva.

🥐 Cultural and Historical Significance

Each arrondissement offers a distinct character, from the literary Left Bank to the artistic Montmartre. Many property buyers are drawn to the authenticity of Haussmann-style apartments—with high ceilings, original moldings, and wrought-iron balconies.

🥐 A Safe and Stable Real Estate Market

Despite global market turbulence, Paris real estate has shown remarkable stability. According to Notaires de France, the average price per square meter in central Paris has remained resilient, hovering around €10,000/m² (approx. $10,800/m²) as of early 2025. Premium neighborhoods such as the 6th and 7th arrondissements regularly exceed €13,000/m² ($14,000/m²).

Moreover, unlike many U.S. markets, Paris does not experience rapid boom-bust cycles. The strict urban planning laws prevent overdevelopment, which helps sustain demand and protect long-term property values.

🥐 A Strategic Base for Travel

Paris is centrally located in Europe, with direct high-speed train (TGV) access to London (2h20), Brussels (1h25), Amsterdam (3h20), and Geneva (3h05). The city’s two international airports (CDG and Orly) offer non-stop flights to over 20 U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago.

For frequent travelers, Paris is both a cultural hub and a global crossroads—ideal for combining business, leisure, and international living.

🥐 Legacy and Long-Term Value

Many buyers view Paris property as a generational investment. Foreigners can own property in France without restriction, and inheritance planning tools make it easier to pass property on to children.

In 2024, Americans were the #2 group of non-EU property buyers in Paris, just behind Italians (source: Belles Demeures / Le Figaro Immobilier).

🥐 Is it expensive to live in Paris?

The average gross salary in Paris is around €3,920/month.

The estimated monthly budget to live in Paris is €2,320 for a single person.

To give you an idea, here is a table of basic food products, transportation, and leisure activities, along with their average prices in Paris:

Type of Food	Average Price in Paris
Bottle of water (1.5 litres)	0.85€
Milk (1 Litre)	1.25€
500g de pain blancof white bread	1.84€
1kg of rice	2.15€/kg
Une dozen eggs	3.62€
1kg of cheese	18€ /kg
1kg of potatoes	2.27€/kg
1kg of apples	3.29/kg
Wine bottle	8.50€ la bouteille

Transportation and type of leisure	Average Price in Paris
Metro Monthly Pass	86€
Gym Membership	50€
3 course meal at a medium-range restaurant	35€/person
Local beer	8€ for 0.5litres
Cup of coffee (regular)	3.80€
1 ticket to the movie theater	12€

Also to learn about the monthly expenses of owning a home in Paris, please read: https://www.tometteparis.com/post/understanding-the-monthly-expenses-of-owning-an-apartment-in-paris

To sum up, while Paris isn't cheap, Paris offers an affordable lifestyle relative to local salaries, particularly in areas like healthcare, transportation, and food.

Conclusion:

Whether for lifestyle, stability, or legacy, Paris offers foreign buyers a rare combination of old-world charm and long-term value.

And with the euro-dollar exchange rate currently favorable (1 EUR ≈ 1.05 USD as of May 2025), it’s an especially smart time to explore opportunities in the French capital.