A year in the life of Emily in Paris, and how much it costs

There is one french phrase way more important than “Je t’aime,” and that’s “Quel est le prix?!”

Asking for the price, or rather taking prices into consideration, however, isn’t something that this American expat seems to be doing in France. And yes, I am talking about Emily Cooper, or as us Netflix binge watchers like to call her: Emily in Paris.

But while Netflix made us swoon over handsome French neighbours, starting the day with a fresh croissant, and taking a taxi to work (no one, Emily), if we take a step back, how is this all adding up?

Emily might be in Paris, but can she afford it?

We scoured the internet and found some interesting research that makes an estimate of Emily’s earnings and money burning during her stay in Paris, and let me tell you, while the clothes might be pretty, her personal finances sure aren’t.

But your finances can be pretty and smart!

Making Money Moves

Unlike what some might think, Emily didn’t just wake up one day and decide that her Chicago style bagels were not quite cutting it anymore, choosing to replace them with pain au chocolat.

Rather, like many other expats, it was for a job opportunity that this American packed her designer bags and moved to the City of Light.

A job opportunity at a marketing agency, which earns her €46,993 annually (that’s the equivalent of $49,975.38 USD), which means she earns a gross monthly salary of €3,916.

But Emily in Paris is not only the nickname she has attained from loyal fans of the show. It is also her Instagram handle. Bringing in lots of followers, engagement, and, you guessed it, brand deals. Since this is not Emily’s main job, she probably only manages 5 brand deals a year. So if we go with a low estimate of €6.4K per deal, that could earn her another €32,000 ($35,380.80).

I wonder if she sends any money back home and, if so, how she converts it? (hint, hint).

Receive and spend your salary worldwide

It’s all Fashion to me

Then surely Emily is earning enough to excuse her designer clothes and accessories?

The short answer: No.

Taking a look at Emily’s closet inventory, her iconic fashion pieces also come at iconic prices, amounting to a total of €71,000 which is the equivalent of $78,661.35. Yep! You read that right.

Rent and Utilities, how boring…

But while fashion might be her passion, by moving to a different country Emily has other expenses to consider as well.

And by expenses, I mean her rent and utility bills. How boring … and essential.

Our girl Emily does everything in a fashionable manner. And that includes spending money beyond her means.

Now don’t get me wrong, renting an apartment in Place de l’Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement, does come with its perks, (cough, Gabriel, cough), but it also comes with some steep rent prices. That price being €2,659 per month, meaning that Emily pays €31,908 per year!

And of course, a flat is only good if it’s functional. I want to say another €2,285 give or take on utilities per year?

So if my maths is correct (which it is… obviously) that’s €34,193 ($37,805.49 USD) on rent and utilities alone.

Emily, girl, we’ve all done a lot for amour, but draining your personal savings shouldn’t be one of them.

Moving to Paris as an American? Here’s all you need to know!

C’est la vie!

Now, an apartment and clothes can both be categorised as necessities, but one does not move to the City of Light to stay indoors.

Be it morning coffees and croissants (we’ve all been there), or late night drinks with the girls (...and there too), or going out for food because after all the French are famous for their cuisine, Emily is not one to stay home.

But all of these little joys of life have a way of adding up. To an estimated total of (I’ll wait until you take a seat) €4,587!

And I forgot the taxis! Silly me. Because you see, Emily got lost once in the metro, so she decided this is the only mode of transport for her, adding another €2,839.20 to our pot ladies and gentlemen.

You know what would help Emily better manage the money spent on her “hobbies”? Jars! Managing your personal finances is the new fashion trend now. Didn’t you know?

Manage your Money Jars

There are overachievers, and then there are overspenders, and Emily is overspending by a lot.

To recap, Emily earns a salary of €78,993, while she spends €71,000 on clothing, €34,193 on rent and utilities, €2,839.20 on transport, and another €4,587.60 on going out and about. That means she’s overspending €33,626.80 ($37,244.01 USD) a year…

Did you hear that? That was Emily’s account crying, in French.

A year in the life of Emily in Paris sounds like a dream, and yet something tells me that were I to move to Paris it would be a completely different story (Netflix, take notes). I would be there alright, but with a slimmer wardrobe, less baked goods, and regularly getting lost on the metro, among other things.

Move abroad and take your money with you

Written by Eleni Socratous

A year in the life of Emily in Paris: Costs

Disclaimers:

*Money figures for the cost of lifestyle for Emily in Paris are taken from the research New Casinos which is featured in Women Love Tech. Wardrobe figures have been taken from the Metro website.

** For Emily’s estimated yearly salary at a marketing agency in France, figures are taken from the median base salary for a marketing manager in France according to Payscale on 11th September 2024.

***The conversion between currencies from Euros to US dollars was done using Wise’s currency converter using the mid-market exchange rate, as of 04 September 2024, 15:37 EST.