Rent vs. Buy Calculator in Paris (2026)
Is it better to rent or buy a home in Paris? See the break-even point and total cost comparison over your chosen time horizon.
Property Price
522 500 €
55m² · 9 500 €/m²
Down Payment
52 250 €
10% of purchase price
Monthly Mortgage
2 255 €
3.1% rate · 25yr term
Monthly Rent
1 800 €
City centre
📅 Break-even point: Year 7
Buying becomes cheaper than renting after 7 years in Paris, once property appreciation and equity are factored in.
After 10 years: Buying saves approximately 30 003 € vs renting.
Cumulative Cost Comparison — Paris
Net costs after accounting for property appreciation and investment returns on down payment.
| Year | Net Buy Cost | Net Rent Cost | Property Value | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 129 € | 15 199 € | 532 950 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 2 | 62 463 € | 30 599 € | 543 609 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 3 | 73 174 € | 46 186 € | 554 481 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 4 | 83 244 € | 61 948 € | 565 571 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 5 | 92 656 € | 77 869 € | 576 882 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 6 | 101 391 € | 93 932 € | 588 420 € | 🔴 Rent |
| 7 | 109 431 € | 110 118 € | 600 188 € | 🟢 Buy |
| 8 | 116 756 € | 126 405 € | 612 192 € | 🟢 Buy |
| 9 | 123 347 € | 142 770 € | 624 436 € | 🟢 Buy |
| 10 | 129 183 € | 159 186 € | 636 925 € | 🟢 Buy |
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Buying
Mortgage: 2 255 €
Maintenance: 566 €
Property Tax: 100 €
Total Monthly: 2 921 €
Does not include down payment of 52 250 €
Renting
Monthly Rent: 1 800 €
Annual Increase: +3% assumed
Opportunity Gain: Down payment invested at 7%/yr
Total Monthly: 1 800 €
Rent increases 3%/yr in projection
Can you afford to buy in Paris?
Monthly net income: 4 484 €
Monthly mortgage: 2 255 €
Mortgage-to-income ratio: 50.3%
🔴 Stretched — consider a higher deposit or longer term
Down payment savings needed: 91 438 €
At 20% savings rate, years to save: 8.5 years
Notes & Assumptions
This calculator uses the following assumptions for Paris in 2026: property price 9 500 €/m² × 55m², mortgage rate 3.1% over 25 years, 10% down payment, transaction costs 7.5%, annual maintenance 1.3%, property appreciation 2.0%/yr, rent inflation 3%/yr, opportunity cost of capital 7%/yr. Frais de notaire ~7-8%. France mortgage ~3.11% (Feb 2026). Paris market flat/declining slightly 2024-25.
Same calculator, other cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Paris in 2026?
Based on 2026 data, buying a home in Paris typically becomes financially advantageous after 7 years, once property appreciation and equity are factored in. With a mortgage rate of 3.1% and estimated annual appreciation of 2.0%, buying makes sense for long-term residents.
How much do you need to earn to buy in Paris?
A typical 55m² apartment in Paris costs approximately 522 500 € in 2026. With a 10% down payment of 52 250 €, the monthly mortgage is 2 255 €. Financial advisors recommend keeping mortgage payments below 28–35% of net monthly income, which implies a gross salary of at least 90 181 € per year to comfortably afford this purchase in Paris.
What is the price-to-rent ratio in Paris?
The price-to-rent ratio in Paris is approximately 31x in 2026 — meaning it takes 31 years of rent to equal the purchase price. A ratio above 20 generally favours renting; below 15 generally favours buying. Paris's ratio of 31 suggests renting is likely more efficient for shorter horizons.
How this calculator works
This calculator compares the total cost of renting versus buying over a configurable time horizon. It includes mortgage payments, transaction costs, maintenance, property appreciation, rent inflation, and the opportunity cost of tying up capital in a down payment.
What's included
- Mortgage principal and interest payments
- Transaction costs (stamp duty, notary, etc.)
- Annual maintenance and property tax
- Property appreciation and rent inflation
- Opportunity cost of capital (7% default)
What's not included
- Renovation or major repair costs
- Home insurance premiums
- Tax relief on mortgage interest (varies by country)
- Emotional or lifestyle value of ownership
Data sources: Central bank mortgage rate data, local property price indices, Numbeo rental averages, and official transaction cost schedules. Updated for 2026.