SHARE
COPY LINK

EXPENSIVE

Paris is world’s ‘fifth most expensive city’ to live in

Paris is a more expensive city to live in than both London and New York, a new global study has found, although it’s not quite the most expensive place to live in Europe.

Paris is world's 'fifth most expensive city' to live in
Photo: AFP

The French capital was ranked fifth in the global league table of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, that was produced by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In top spot came Singapore, followed by Zurich, Hong Kong and Geneva, meaning Paris was Europe’s third most expensive city and the number one in the European Union.

London was sixth and New York seventh on the list that compares the cost of a basket of goods across 133 cities.

However the fifth place is a fall from 2nd spot in last year’s rankings, a fall that can mainly be explained by exchange rates.

“Weak confidence in the euro means that Paris is the only euro zone city in the top ten,” reads the EIU report.

“Despite a weakening currency, Paris remains structurally extremely expensive to live in, with only alcohol and tobacco offering value for money compared with other European cities.”

The drop in the euro means that the average price of a loaf of bread in Paris has dropped compared to last year, as has the average price for a bottle of table wine, a packet of 20 cigarettes and the cost of a litre of unleaded petrol.

But perhaps it’s not all bad news those for Parisians.

“Paris has always been expensive. It’s partly driven by high real estate prices that feed through to retail prices,” said author of the report Jon Copestake. “It's just structurally expensive and the high wages also makes a difference.”

“Parisians shouldn’t see it as bad news. It's partly due to the high salaries there. It just means other places abroad are cheaper when they go and visit. They will have a much higher purchasing power. It’s the same in places like Oslo where prices are also driven up by the very high salaries,” Copestake added.

The Economist's study of 133 global cities is carried out with expats in mind, so companies can know a little more about the cost of living in cities where they have employees.

SEE ALSO: Ten reasons why Paris is better than London

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

SHOW COMMENTS