EN 🇬🇧
IT 🇮🇹 EN 🇬🇧 ES 🇪🇸 FR 🇫🇷
Join now
Back to the France guide

LifeSkills city guide

Parigi

France

Capital of France and one of the world's great metropolises, Paris is a huge university center (Sorbonne, Paris Cité, Sciences Po and dozens of grandes écoles) and a leading economic and cultural engine. Compact and very dense, it has one of the best metro and RER networks in the world and a legendary cultural and nightlife. The downside is the cost of living: very high rents for small apartments and a very tough real estate market (you need a guarantor and a solid dossier). Many students and workers live in the suburbs (banlieue) connected by the RER.

Build your plan for Parigi Explore neighborhoods
Safety 62/100
Affordability 38/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 88/100
Transport 92/100

Last reviewed: Jul 23, 2026. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

Quick answer

Living in Parigi: what to know first

The essentials before you compare the details. A figure is marked as verified only when it is linked to a source.

Verified

Student budget

1,100-1,700 EUR/month

single room + utilities + groceries + subscription · excluding university fees

See details
Under review

Room rent

No locally sourced rent figure is available yet See details
Verified

Getting around

Paris has one of the most extensive and widespread public transport networks in the world, managed by RATP and SNCF under Île-de-France Mobilités: 16 metro lines, the major RER routes, trams, buses and Vélib' bike sharing. With the Navigo season ticket (or Imagine R for students) you have unlimited travel throughout the region. You don't need a car: it is often slower and more expensive than public transport.

See details

Neighborhoods to compare

8 neighborhoods compared

5ème — Quartier Latin · 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles · 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf

See details

Universities

5 universities in this guide

Sorbonne Université · Université Paris Cité · Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

See details

First steps

Where to start for Parigi

Follow this order to narrow your options without taking in everything at once.

  1. Shortlist 2–3 neighborhoods

    Compare student life, safety and the real commute to campus.
  2. Check housing and budget

    Use estimates as a guide, then verify the listing, contract and current costs.
  3. Verify your documents

    Check registration, visa or permit requirements before making payments.

Interactive map

Arrondissements di Parigi

Official administrative boundaries: Arrondissements. Select an area to view the available data.

Loading geographic boundaries…

Visible Arrondissements 0

Verified geographic dataset

Boundary source: Ville de Paris — Arrondissements (Open Data Paris). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Compare

Neighborhood ranking

Best neighborhoods for students

  1. 5ème — Quartier Latin 94/100
  2. 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles 90/100
  3. 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf 94/100
  4. 20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant 86/100

Best neighborhoods for nightlife

  1. 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf 94/100
  2. 4ème — Le Marais 88/100
  3. 10ème — Canal Saint-Martin 84/100
  4. 18ème — Montmartre 80/100

Best neighborhoods for quiet living

  1. 15ème — Vaugirard 82/100
  2. 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles 90/100
  3. 5ème — Quartier Latin 94/100
  4. 20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant 86/100

Best neighborhoods for low rent

  1. 20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant ~680 EUR
  2. 18ème — Montmartre ~700 EUR
  3. 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles ~720 EUR
  4. 10ème — Canal Saint-Martin ~750 EUR

Best neighborhoods for safety

  1. 15ème — Vaugirard 82/100
  2. 4ème — Le Marais 88/100
  3. 5ème — Quartier Latin 94/100
  4. 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf 94/100

Neighborhood cards

Where to live in Parigi

5ème — Quartier Latin

Student hub

5ème — Quartier Latin: The historic student heart: the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, high schools and bookshops. Very central, cultured and lively, with city center prices but lots of university life

Room
~800 EUR
Studio
~1,200 EUR
Apartment
~1,850 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 78 Student-friendly 94 Nightlife 76 Commute 94
Pros
  • student-friendly: 94/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~800 EUR.
  • Useful for Sorbonne Université (Jussieu, Sorbonne).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitiescentral

13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles

Student hub

13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles: University and up-and-coming in the south-east: the campuses of Paris Cité (Grands Moulins) and Tolbiac, Chinatown, the picturesque Butte-aux-Cailles. More accessible

Room
~720 EUR
Studio
~1,000 EUR
Apartment
~1,550 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 72 Student-friendly 90 Nightlife 66 Commute 88
Pros
  • student-friendly: 90/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~720 EUR.
  • Useful for Université Paris Cité (Grands Moulins).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitiesbalanced

11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf

Nightlife

11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf: The kingdom of young nightlife: Oberkampf, Bastille, rue de la Roquette. Bars, restaurants and clubs everywhere, a dense, lively neighborhood much loved by young people

Room
~780 EUR
Studio
~1,100 EUR
Apartment
~1,650 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 72 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 94 Commute 90
Pros
  • nightlife: 94/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~780 EUR.
  • Useful for Sorbonne Nouvelle (Nation, near).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
nightlifestudent-friendlycentral

20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant

Lower rent

20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant: Popular, multicultural and creative in the east: Belleville and Ménilmontant, street art, markets and neighborhood life. Among the most accessible and lively arrondissements

Room
~680 EUR
Studio
~950 EUR
Apartment
~1,450 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 64 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 80 Commute 84
Pros
  • student-friendly: 86/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~680 EUR.
  • Useful for Sorbonne Nouvelle (by metro).
Cons
  • Safety score is 64/100: inspect the exact street and building.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
low rentstudent-friendlynightlife

Study

Major universities in Parigi

Sciences Po Paris

Large private social science school (international, many courses in English)

See on the map
Political scienceInternational relationsPublic affairsEconomyJournalism
Commute from top areas
  • 5ème — Quartier Latin10-15 min (Saint-Germain)
  • 4ème — Le Marais10-20 min
  • 15ème — Vaugirard15-25 min

PSL — Université Paris Dauphine / ENS

Elite collegiate university (Dauphine, ENS, Mines; world-leading research)

See on the map
EconomyManagementScienceLettersEngineering
Commute from top areas
  • 15ème — Vaugirard15-25 min (Dauphine)
  • 5ème — Quartier Latin5-10 min (ENS)
  • 4ème — Le Marais15-25 min

Rent analysis

Average rent by neighborhood

Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.

rent figure with a linked source editorial estimate to verify

Indicative monthly rent by neighborhood in Parigi
Neighborhood cardsRoomStudioApartment
5ème — Quartier Latin~800 EUR~1,200 EUR~1,850 EUR
4ème — Le Marais~850 EUR~1,250 EUR~1,900 EUR
11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf~780 EUR~1,100 EUR~1,650 EUR
10ème — Canal Saint-Martin~750 EUR~1,050 EUR~1,600 EUR
13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles~720 EUR~1,000 EUR~1,550 EUR
15ème — Vaugirard~750 EUR~1,050 EUR~1,600 EUR
18ème — Montmartre~700 EUR~980 EUR~1,500 EUR
20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant~680 EUR~950 EUR~1,450 EUR

Cheapest: 20ème — Belleville / Ménilmontant, 18ème — Montmartre, 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles

Mid-range: 13ème — Butte-aux-Cailles, 10ème — Canal Saint-Martin, 15ème — Vaugirard

Premium: 4ème — Le Marais, 5ème — Quartier Latin, 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf

Safety

Safety notes

Safer neighborhoods

15ème — Vaugirard, 5ème — Quartier Latin, 4ème — Le Marais

Areas to be careful with

metro and tourist places (very common pickpocketing: Châtelet, Gare du Nord, Trocadéro), areas of Barbès / Goutte d'Or (18ème) and some parts of the 19ème/20ème in the evening, around the big stations at night

  • Paris is a large metropolis: violent crime is relatively low, but petty crime (pickpocketing, bag snatching) is very widespread, especially on the metro, on the RER and in crowded tourist places. Always keep an eye on your phone, wallet and backpack.
  • Perception changes greatly from street to street and between day and night: evaluate the building, street and evening commute, not just the name of the arrondissement.
  • For late returns the Noctilien (night buses) cover the whole city and the region; in the busiest areas it is better to move accompanied and on illuminated streets.

Student perspective: Students: the 5ème (Quartier Latin) is the academic heart, the 13ème is the most accessible hub (Paris Cité, Tolbiac); the 11ème and 20ème are the liveliest and youngest. To save money, many live in the 19ème/20ème or in suburbs with the RER, and aim for CROUS residences. The Visale public guarantee helps those who do not have a guarantor.

Nightlife

Where to go out

Oberkampf / rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (11ème)

bars, clubs, young nightlife

One of the most famous night streets in Paris: crowded bars, cocktails and clubs until late, the heart of the 11th nightlife.

Canal Saint-Martin (10ème)

canal bar, aperitifs, summer

The banks of the canal are filled with people for aperitifs and picnics; trendy bar and brunch in a young and “bobo” atmosphere.

Bastille (11ème/12ème)

pubs, discos, going out

Around rue de Lappe and rue de la Roquette, the historic exit area with pubs and clubs, very popular with young people.

Le Marais (3ème/4ème)

LGBTQ+ bars, cocktails, chic clubs

Heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife and trendy cocktail bars, in a historic and trendy context.

Belleville / Ménilmontant (20ème)

alternative bars, concerts, art scene

The most alternative and multicultural area of ​​the Parisian night, among cheap bars, concerts and underground culture.

Transport

Getting around Parigi

Paris has one of the most extensive and widespread public transport networks in the world, managed by RATP and SNCF under Île-de-France Mobilités: 16 metro lines, the major RER routes, trams, buses and Vélib' bike sharing. With the Navigo season ticket (or Imagine R for students) you have unlimited travel throughout the region. You don't need a car: it is often slower and more expensive than public transport.

Metro Metro: 16 lines (1-14 plus 3bis and 7bis) very dense, with stations just a few minutes' walk away everywhere in the city; the new automatic lines of the Grand Paris Express are on the wayRER: five major lines (A, B, C, D, E) that cross the city and quickly connect the suburbs, the airports (CDG, Orly) and DisneylandTram and Grand Paris Express: peripheral tram networks (T1-T13) and the great expansion of the automatic metro towards the banlieue in progress
Tram / busThe RATP bus network is widespread and integrates the metro and RER, with night lines (Noctilien) active all night; trams mainly serve the belt and the suburbs. Everything is covered by the Navigo/Imagine R subscription.
TrainParis is the largest railway hub in Europe, with six large stations: TGV for the whole of France (Lyon in ~2h, Marseille in ~3h), Eurostar for London, Thalys for Brussels/Amsterdam and international trains; two airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly).
Pass info Metro ticket 2.50 EURbus/tram ticket 2.00 EURNavigo Semaine 32.40 EURNavigo Mensuel 90.80 EUR (all zones)Navigo Annual 998.80 EURImagine R Étudiant 393.30 EUR/year (unlimited all zones)employer reimbursement 50-100%
WalkabilityExcellent: Paris is compact and very dense, among the most walkable large cities in the world; almost everything can be reached on foot or in a few metro stops, and the banks of the Seine and the large boulevards invite you to walk.
Bike-friendlinessMuch improved: Vélib' bike sharing is widespread and the cycle network has grown enormously (new paths on many axes, "coronapistes" made permanent); the city is quite flat, with some climbs towards Montmartre and Belleville.

Transport sources Île-de-France Mobilités / RATP — Rete e tariffe del trasporto pubblico di ParigiSNCF — Treni, TGV e collegamenti nazionali e internazionaliVille de Paris — Vélib’ e mobilità ciclabile

Cost of living

Monthly budget estimate

Reference monthly budget 1,100-1,700 EUR/month

single room + utilities + groceries + subscription · excluding university fees

Spending items

Food around 300-450 EUR/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~15 EUR
Transport Navigo Monthly (all areas): 90.80 EUR/month. Students: Imagine R 393.30 EUR/year (~33 EUR/month, unlimited all areas). Metro ticket 2.50 EUR, bus 2.00 EUR
Utilities approximately EUR 230 for 85 m² sharing 60-100 EUR per person
Coffee / bars cappuccino approximately EUR 4.50 cheap meal around 15 EUR

Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a ParigiÎle-de-France Mobilités — Navigo e Imagine R, tariffe 2026

Transparency

Parigi data sources and updates

Check where the data comes from, which fields each source covers and when it was reviewed. One source does not automatically validate other figures.

Page reviewed

Next review by:

6 registered references

6/6 with a check date

Policy: review within 12 months. Status and date apply to the individual reference, not the whole city.

Budget and cost of living 2
Transport 3
Local rent 0

No specific source is registered yet: related figures remain indicative or under review.

Map and boundaries 1

Decision guide

Pros and cons of living in Parigi

5 strengths

  1. Paris has one of the most extensive and widespread public transport networks in the world, managed by RATP and SNCF under Île-de-France Mobilités: 16 metro lines, the major RER routes, trams, buses and Vélib' bike sharing. With the Navigo season ticket (or Imagine R for students) you have unlimited travel throughout the region. You don't need a car: it is often slower and more expensive than public transport.
  2. Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
  3. Students: the 5ème (Quartier Latin) is the academic heart, the 13ème is the most accessible hub (Paris Cité, Tolbiac); the 11ème and 20ème are the liveliest and youngest. To save money, many live in the 19ème/20ème or in suburbs with the RER, and aim for CROUS residences. The Visale public guarantee helps those who do not have a guarantor.
  4. Paris is among the most expensive cities in Europe for a home: a room often costs 650-900 EUR, a studio apartment (often tiny) easily exceeds 1,000 EUR. Finding a house is difficult: you need a guarantor and a solid dossier; for students there is the Visale public guarantee.
  5. 5ème — Quartier Latin, 4ème — Le Marais, 11ème — Bastille / Oberkampf sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.

5 drawbacks

  1. Paris is a large metropolis: violent crime is relatively low, but petty crime (pickpocketing, bag snatching) is very widespread, especially on the metro, on the RER and in crowded tourist places. Always keep an eye on your phone, wallet and backpack.
  2. Transportation is a big plus for students: the Imagine R season ticket costs EUR 393.30 per year (approximately EUR 33 per month) for unlimited travel on the metro, RER, buses and trams throughout the Île-de-France.
  3. Prices from the city center
  4. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

FAQ

Questions about moving to Parigi

Is Paris a good city for students?

Yes, a lot: it is one of the largest university centers in Europe, with the Sorbonne, Paris Cité, Sciences Po, the PSL and dozens of grandes écoles, in a city with an extraordinary cultural life. Transportation for students is very cheap (Imagine R ~393 EUR per year). The big obstacle is the cost and difficulty of finding a house: it is better to look well in advance, use the CROUS residences and the Visale guarantee.

Is Paris a good city for workers?

Yes: it is the main economic center of France, home to large companies, multinationals, finance (La Défense), fashion, luxury, tech and culture. The opportunities are many, but the market is competitive and the cost of living is high. The excellent transport network allows you to work throughout the region while also living outside the centre.

Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?

For students: the 5ème (Quartier Latin) and the 13ème (Paris Cité, more accessible), the 11ème and the 20ème for young life. For those who work and seek tranquility: the 15ème and the 12ème. For charm and centrality (with a high budget): the 4ème (Marais) and the 5ème.

Which neighborhoods are cheapest?

The arrondissements to the east and north-east (19ème, 20ème, part of the 18ème) and the 13ème have the most accessible rents while staying in the city. To really save money, many choose the suburbs (Montreuil, Pantin, Saint-Ouen, Ivry) connected by the metro/RER, where rents are lower.

Is public transport convenient?

It is among the best in the world: 16 very dense metro lines, the RER for the region and the airports, trams, buses (including night buses) and the Vélib', all integrated into the Navigo subscription. With Imagine R students travel unlimitedly throughout the Île-de-France for around EUR 33 per month. No car needed.

How much budget is needed?

For a student approximately EUR 1,100-1,700 per month including room, utilities, expenses and subscription; university fees (low in the public sector) are extra. Those who work most often fall between 1,800 and 2,800 EUR, depending on the area and type of accommodation.

How do you find home in Paris?

This is the most difficult part: the market is competitive and you need a solid dossier (employment contract or registration, pay slips, and almost always a guarantor who earns much more than the rent). For students, the Visale public guarantee replaces the guarantor and the CROUS residences offer places at controlled prices (but with a waiting list). Be wary of scams: never pay before seeing the house and signing a contract.