New York City vs Paris
The short answer
Paris is the cheaper trip, by roughly 13% a day — $130–200 against $130–260 mid-range per person. Meals run the other way, though: a cheap plate is $5–12 in New York City against $7–12 in Paris. Both are at their best in Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, so one trip can take in both.
Side by side
Mid-range, per person, in US dollars. Both guides were costed the same way — see how we work these out.
| 🇺🇸 New York City | 🇫🇷 Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budgetmid-range, per person | $130–260 | $130–200cheaper |
| Cheap meallocal staple | $5–12cheaper | $7–12 |
| Mid-range hotelper night | $220–400 | $160–280cheaper |
| Transit ridesingle trip | $2.90 | $2.70 |
| Avg. monthly salarylocal, for context | ≈ $5,800 | ≈ $3,000 |
When to go
Filled months are the ones each guide recommends; hollow ones it warns off.
What you'd actually do
A few of each guide's picks, one per category before seconds — the full lists are on the guides themselves.
🇺🇸 New York City
The city that never sleeps — Broadway marquees, a skyline you already know by heart, and a subway that gets you anywhere at 3am if you're patient.
- Please Don't Tell (PDT)$$$Nightlife
- Katz's Delicatessen$$Restaurants
- Radio City Music Hall$$$Theater & shows
- Employees Only$$$Nightlife
- Peter Luger Steak House$$$Restaurants
🇫🇷 Paris
Compact, walkable, and exactly as beautiful as advertised. The clichés are true; so are the pickpockets. Say bonjour first and the whole city softens.
- Harry's New York Bar$$Nightlife
- Bouillon Chartier$Restaurants
- Moulin Rouge$$$Theater & shows
- Little Red Door$$$Nightlife
- Le Comptoir du Relais$$Restaurants
Practicalities
| New York City | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | English, though few cities on earth are more multilingual — you'll hear dozens of languages on any given subway car. | French. English works in tourist areas — but open every interaction with 'Bonjour'. |
| Currency | US dollar (USD/$) | Euro (€). US$1 ≈ €0.92 |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (ET), UTC-5 / UTC-4 with daylight saving | CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer) |
| Power | Type A/B plugs, 120V — bring a converter if you're arriving from a 220V country | Type C/E plugs, 230V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink — NYC tap water is famously good, straight from upstate reservoirs | Safe — ask for 'une carafe d'eau' (free) in restaurants |
| Emergency | 911 police/fire/ambulance | 112 general · 17 police · 15 medical |