Student budget in Paris in 2026: how much should you plan for at the start of the 2026 academic year?

Paris is a dream city—for good reasons. But the budget required to live in the City of Light can be head‑spinning. 

So how much do you really need to study in Paris in 2026? This guide reviews every expense category, with up‑to‑date figures and practical tips to help you stay on budget without sacrificing your student life.

Student budget in Paris in 2026: the dashboard

Student living costs increased by 4.12% in one year at the start of the 2025 academic year, and by 31.88% since 2017, according to L’Étudiant. Paris has always been an expensive city, even though the cost of living has also risen sharply in many other European cities over a very short period.

Before going into detail, here is an overview of the expenses to plan for depending on your lifestyle:

No big surprise: housing is the largest expense.

These figures are excluding housing benefits (APL), which you can apply for to help pay your rent (see below).

👉 Overall, a student in Paris should expect to spend between €1,100 and €1,400 per month in 2026 to live with a reasonable level of comfort. Of course, this depends on how often you go out—which is what we’ll look at next.

Housing, the number one expense

In Paris, housing alone accounts for 40% to 70% of a student’s budget, depending on the type of accommodation chosen. 

The most affordable option remains CROUS housing: between €200 and €500 per month for a furnished room with utilities included, even after a 3.26% increase at the start of the 2025 academic year. The problem? Paris has only 7,750 CROUS places spread across 79 residences, for tens of thousands of applicants. Demand wildly exceeds supply, and scholarship students are prioritised.

If you don’t get a CROUS room, you need to turn quickly to other options.

In the private sector, the average rent for a studio in Paris was around €915 including utilities in 2025, and can easily exceed €1,000 in central districts. Two key ways to reduce costs:

• Shared accommodation, starting at around €600 per room
• Nearby suburbs: in Nanterre, Créteil, or Saint‑Denis, rents range from €740 to €820
• Private student residences like Yugo are a lesser‑known third option: fully furnished, all‑inclusive housing, without the uncertainty of the traditional private market, and with year‑round availability—even in emergencies. You’ll also benefit from an international atmosphere that makes it easy to make friends.

Eating in Paris without breaking the bank

Food is the second‑largest expense—and often the first one students cut. Which is a shame in one of Europe’s most famous food capitals. In 2025, 62% of students in France skipped meals due to lack of money, but there are real solutions.

The best solution remains CROUS university restaurants (RU):

• €3.30 per full meal in 2026
• €1 for scholarship students or students in financial difficulty

With around 20 meals per month, savings are significant. RUs are located on most Paris campuses—check those near your university.

That said, quality is not always consistent, and choice can be limited. The cheapest approach is still to combine CROUS meals with cooking at home.

Tips to keep your food budget under control:

• Shop at discount chains like Aldi, Lidl, or Tous Anti Gaspi
• Use anti‑waste apps (Too Good To Go, Phenix) for heavily discounted unsold food, sometimes from good restaurants
• Meal‑prep for the week
• Student food boxes and AMAPs offer fresh produce for €3–€5 per meal

Realistic budget: €150 to €250 per month, depending on habits and CROUS usage.

Transport: the real cost of living in France

Good news: Paris has one of the best public transport systems in Europe.
Bad news: it comes at a price—especially if you’re not on a scholarship.

The main student option is the Navigo Imagine R pass:

• Around €33 per month in 2026 (annualised student rate)
• €374.40 per year
• Unlimited access to metro, RER, buses, and trams across Île‑de‑France

Without this reduced rate, the standard Navigo costs €90.80 per month—almost three times more.

At the start of the 2025 academic year, non‑scholarship students in major cities saw their transport budget increase by 14.23%, reaching an average of €335.57 per year, up from €293.77 in 2024.

To cut costs, alternatives are worth considering:

• Cycling: €80–€200 for a good second‑hand bike, plus a solid lock (bike theft is common) and a helmet. Paris is mostly flat, except in the north‑east, so no electric bike is needed—and you get free exercise.

  Paris has an excellent network of bike lanes and is also well suited for e‑scooters and walking, especially in central districts.

   

The often‑overlooked expenses

Housing, food, and transport usually top the list—but other costs can significantly affect your end‑of‑month balance if you don’t anticipate them.

Tuition fees and CVEC

In French public universities:

• €170/year for a bachelor’s degree
• €243/year for a master’s degree

Add the CVEC (Student and Campus Life Contribution), set at €105 in 2026. It applies to all initial‑training students except scholarship holders, who are exempt. Spread over 12 months, this equals around €23 per month.

Health insurance

Since 2019, students are covered by the general social security system for free, but a supplementary health plan is strongly recommended—especially for dental, vision, or dermatological care. Providers like LMDE and SMERRA offer student‑specific plans.

Phone and internet

Often underestimated:

• Mobile plans start at €2/month with low‑cost providers (Free, NRJ Mobile, Prixtel)
• Internet boxes cost €20–€35/month if not included in rent

In all‑inclusive private residences like Yugo, Wi‑Fi is usually included—an important advantage for controlling your budget.

Financial aid available in 2026

Housing benefits (APL)

The most accessible form of aid, regardless of your field or university. Paid by the CAF, it usually ranges from €100 to €250 per month, depending on rent, city, and income.

In 2026, APL amounts will not be increased and remain frozen at 2025 levels.

Major change: from 1 July 2026, non‑EU/EEA students without scholarships will no longer be eligible for APL. If this applies to you, plan ahead by considering shared housing, private residences, or guarantees like VISALE or GarantMe.

CROUS needs‑based scholarships

Calculated based on household income, number of dependants, and distance from home. Amounts range from approximately:

• €1,450/year (level 0 bis)
• Up to €6,335/year (level 7)

Paid over ten months. In 2026, amounts will be maintained but not increased. More information here.

Conclusion

Studying in Paris in 2026 is possible on any budget—as long as you prepare properly. The difference between €650 and €1,550 per month mainly depends on housing and the financial aid you receive. The earlier you plan, the better your chances of securing affordable accommodation.

If you’re looking for a simple, furnished solution available quickly, Yugo student residences in Paris are designed with international students in mind: all‑inclusive pricing, an international community, and no nasty surprises at the end of the month.