While living in Paris is many expats’ dream, it’s not for the faint of heart. And that’s not just because of the risk of pickpockets or getting run over by a bike.
No, the scariest thing about living in Paris is the cost of housing. Housing prices in the Paris region have declined slightly in recent years but costs are still sky-high compared to other cities, as the area is very concentrated. Even French citizens with permanent contracts and a decent income are struggling to find places to rent, let alone buy, according to Le Monde.
That has a lot to do with not only the price of housing, but the fact that many apartments, especially in the centre of the city, are unoccupied.
In all of Paris, 19 percent of apartments are unoccupied.
That number jumps to 28 percent in the centre, according to the latest data available, apartments mostly purchased by speculators or by wealthy internationals who only stay occasionally in these secondary homes. If you look at publicly available data from Paris notaries, you’ll see that thankfully some areas are cheaper than others. Here is a guide to all 20 Paris arrondissements and the average buying price, as well as what makes each area worth living in.
1st Arrondissement
Generally, the center and west of Paris are the most expensive. The first is no different. Home to the Louvre, Jardin Royal and Colonne Vendome, it’s among the most expensive real estate in Paris. An apartment there will cost you an average 12,400 euros per square meter, assuming you can find one.
The area is home to many law offices, second homes of the wealthy and is teeming with tourists in the summer.
2nd Arrondissement
The 2nd is an increasingly trendy area where you will find a lot of Korean and Japanese restaurants as well as Instagram worthy cafes. This area is slightly cheaper, at 11,310 euros per square meter.
It also has some of my favorite American-style restaurants where I go when I want to feel like I am back home.
3rd Arrondissement
The 3rd or Le Marais as the locals call it, is the “it girl” of Paris. Everyone wants to live here. It’s where you’ll find the latest fashion designers, some of the best restaurants, several great museums and dozens of hidden gems. It’s where I love to stroll around on a sunny day and people watch.
Being popular comes at a cost, at 12,760 euros per square meter.
4th Arrondissement
The fourth is the most expensive neighborhood to live in Paris, believe it or not. At an average cost of 13,030 euros per square meter, this area is for the ultra-wealthy.
That’s likely since it includes Ile Saint-Louis, one of the smallest urban islands in the world. Home to Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel de Ville and Place des Vosges, the fourth arrondissement often feels like the wealthier extension of the Marais.
5th Arrondissement
In the fifth, you’ll find the famous Jardin des Plantes which is a great place to go with kids or to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. It’s also traditionally known as being where students go out to drink, as its bars around Placette Jacqueline-de-Romilly used to be the place to get cheap drinks.
While the bars are still there, it’s not as cheap to drink or live there. Housing costs an average of 11,750 euros per square meter.
6th Arrondissement
This area of Paris is home to the Luxembourg gardens and countless beautiful terraces to sit and people-watch. Living here is costly, as it goes for an average of 12,610 euros per square meter.
7th Arrondissement
In the seventh, you will likely have a view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a neighborhood known for its close proximity to some of the most beautiful buildings in Paris such as the Hotel des Invalides and the Musee d’Orsay.
That beauty comes at a cost, a whopping 12,620 euros per square meter to be exact.
8th A rrondissement
The eighth has one of the most expensive commercial real estate streets (the Avenue des Champs-Élysées) but surprisingly, it’s not as expensive as other trendy areas. That’s likely because while it boasts a lot of well-known monuments, such as the Place de La Concorde, it’s known as a rather quiet residential area.
Buying here costs a mere 10,850 euros per square meter, on average.
9th Arrondissement
The ninth is slightly cheaper, at 10,080 euros per square meter, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. It’s just under Montmartre, which means you are walking distance to the fun areas of Paris but can sleep without all the nightlife noise.
10th Arrondissement
Depending on where you are in the tenth, it can be really great and full of life or a bit on the dodgy side. The areas around Canal St Martin are gorgeous, especially in the summer months when the locals flock there to have an aperitif. But the areas around Gare de L’Est aren’t as great.
Because of the mix, the average is lower, at 8,920 euros per square meter, but can be much higher in certain areas of the tenth.
11th Arrondissement
The eleventh is one of my favourite neighbourhoods to stroll around in. It’s right next to Canal St Martin but extends farther out to the Place de la Bastille and has one of the best Sunday markets in Paris.
Living here costs an average of 9,490 euros per square meter.
12th Arrondissement
The twelfth is also a great area for food lovers. Here you have the famous Aligre market which includes fresh food but also a weekly flea market. It also boasts the most beautiful train station in Paris, the Gare de Lyon. Buying here costs 8,470 euros per square meter on average.
13th Arrondissement
If you love Chinese and Vietnamese food then you’ll find plenty of it in the thirteenth. This area is also home to Butte Aux-Cailles, an area that almost feels like its own French village. If you want to buy here, you can find places for an average of 8,620 euros per square meter.
14th Arrondissement
The fourteenth is known for having one of the ugliest buildings in Paris – the Montparnasse Tower. But don’t let that fool you into thinking this area isn’t worth living in. It also boasts some spectacular architecture from the turn of the century. It’s also a great place for students as there are several well-known universities in the area. It costs an average of 8,990 euros per square meter to buy here.
15th Arrondissement
The most famous thing about the fifteenth is that it’s a residential area. It’s a popular place for Parisian families because it’s quiet but it’s still in the city and not a suburb. While you won’t find a lot to do here as a tourist, all my friends who live here love it and talk about how homely it feels.
Plus, it’s not as expensive as other areas of Paris, at just €8,730 an average per square meter.
16th Arrondissement
Nearly all of Paris is full of beautiful architecture but the sixteenth is known for having some of the most renowned gems. It boasts many Art Deco buildings. Several well-known French politicians and movie stars own homes in this area.
Buying here can be on the costly side depending on where you live, at an average of 10,080 euros per square meter.
17th Arrondissement
The seventeenth of Paris doesn’t have an overall vibe. That’s because it is composed of small neighbourhoods and each has its own vibe. Living here is akin to living in a small French village but with the perks of being in a city.
On average, it costs 9,460 euros per square meter.
18th Arrondissement
The 18th has had quite a past and sometimes it feels like it’s its own city in Paris. Montmartre is home to a lot of artists. The area has recently been overrun with short-term rentals, leading to locals complaining about how many tourists there are.
And while the French might be notorious for complaining, they are right that this place is not what it used to be. I tend to stick to the outskirts when I visit, as I find the area incredibly overcrowded during the tourist season.
That’s probably why it’s increased in price in recent years, to 8,340 euros a square meter.
19th Arrondissement
The 19th is one of my favorite areas of Paris to live in. With Parc des Buttes- Chaumont and Belleville, it boasts amazing views of Paris and great (and cheap) Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. There’s also an increasing number of high-end restaurants and cafes opening in the area but it still continues to keep its charm and hasn’t yet been overrun by tourists.
Some areas can be a bit rough for some expats and the area is still developing so it’s best to check out the area in person before moving here so you know exactly where you are.
Because of its sometimes downtrodden nature, this is the cheapest area in Paris to live, at just 7,630 euros per square meter.
20th Arrondissement
The 20th has always been known as one of the quietest neighborhoods, great for families. But I honestly think it’s one of the most underrated. It has a true neighborhood feel that you don’t get in other areas in Paris. But it’s still lively enough if you want to enjoy an evening out.
This area will cost you 8,250 euros per square meter. More than some other areas of Paris but honestly, not bad compared to other popular areas.
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Read more about housing prices and real estate here in Dispatches‘ archives.
Moriah Costa
Moriah Costa is a freelance journalist. She grew up in Arizona and has lived in Washington, D.C., London, and Madrid. She now lives in Paris with her husband and cat.
