At a glance
| Factor | Paris | Beijing |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 23,000 to 37,000 | CNY 260,000 to 380,000 (USD 36k to 53k) |
| Dominant curricula | French bilingual, IB, British | IB, American, British |
| Cost of living vs Paris (Expatistan, May 2026) | Baseline | About 14 percent lower |
| Family visa | Talent passport or salaried work permit | Z visa with family S visa |
| Expat share of population | About 20 percent | About 0.5 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 12 to 16 weeks |
Paris is the cheaper city on school fees and the deeper market on curriculum mix. Beijing is the more expensive but very well resourced city, with vast purpose-built campuses and a tight set of premium IB and American schools. Both cities offer mature provision for expat families but ask very different things of you on language and visa logistics.
Schools landscape side by side
Paris families shortlist the International School of Paris (ISP), the American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint-Cloud, the British School of Paris in Croissy, Marymount International, Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Ecole Jeannine Manuel. Most run IB or a bilingual French track. Several public bilingual sections in central Paris are free and academically respected.
Beijing families pick the International School of Beijing (ISB), Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), Beijing City International School (BCIS), British School of Beijing, Dulwich College Beijing and Yew Chung International School (YCIS). Foreigner-only schools are restricted to dependants of foreign passport holders; many bilingual private schools admit Chinese-passport children but follow a different curriculum.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Paris tuition runs EUR 18,000 to 26,000 for primary and EUR 27,000 to 37,000 for IB Diploma at the established international schools. Most families budget EUR 5,000 to 9,000 in one-off registration and capital fees in Year 1 plus EUR 3,000 to 5,000 a year for the school bus from western suburbs.
Beijing is materially more expensive. ISB publishes secondary fees of CNY 290,000 to 333,000, WAB sits at a similar level and BCIS at CNY 280,000 to 343,000 (roughly USD 39,000 to 47,000). Premium schools charge a one-off capital fee of CNY 30,000 to 80,000. Use our cost calculator for an all-in five year model.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover IB strongly. Paris adds a wide French bilingual and AP range; Beijing adds a polished American programme through WAB and ISB and a serious British pathway through Dulwich and the British School of Beijing. If your assignment is uncertain or you may move again within five years, the IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in both cities.
See the IB hub and American curriculum hub for transfer detail before you commit.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Paris, families cluster in the 7th, 16th and 17th arrondissements and the western suburbs of Saint-Germain, Saint-Cloud and Croissy. A three-bedroom flat in the 16th runs EUR 4,500 to 7,500 per month; a house in Saint-Germain runs similarly with a garden.
In Beijing, families pick Shunyi (the village zone north-east of the third ring) for ISB, WAB and Dulwich campuses, Liangmaqiao and Sanlitun for inner-city walkable life near BCIS, and the Chaoyang Park area for proximity to the British School. A four-bedroom villa in Shunyi runs CNY 35,000 to 65,000 per month (USD 4,900 to 9,100), with school-bus networks covering all premium schools.
Lifestyle and climate
Paris offers cultural density most cities cannot match and a four-season climate where children can use the city by foot or Metro from age 10. Beijing is a continental capital with cold dry winters, hot summers and dust events in spring; air quality has improved sharply over a decade but remains a planning factor. Paris scores higher on public health care and food quality; Beijing scores higher on housing space per dollar and short-haul access across East Asia.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Paris if you want a culturally rich European posting, a wider curriculum choice and a lifestyle your family can absorb in three years or thirty. It particularly suits families ready to invest in French.
Choose Beijing if your package supports premium Asia fees and you want one of the region's best resourced school markets. It is the stronger city for families targeting US university outcomes from a strong IB or AP cohort.
Run both through the cost calculator. For two children at premium schools, Paris delivers a five year all-in saving of USD 150,000 to 280,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paris or Beijing cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Paris is cheaper on school fees and broadly comparable on housing for equivalent space. Beijing is cheaper on groceries, dining and domestic help. Schools are the deciding line.
Which city has better international schools?
Beijing's premium schools are bigger and better resourced; Paris's are smaller and offer more curriculum mix. Fit depends on year group, curriculum and how much you value French language exposure.
Is the family visa easier in Paris or Beijing?
Paris's Talent Passport handles family in one application and runs in 8 to 12 weeks. Beijing requires a Z visa for the worker plus S visa for the family, with health checks and residence permits added once in country.
How long do school waiting lists run?
Paris ISP and ASP run one to three term waits at Year 7 and 12. Beijing ISB and WAB run two to four term waits at Grade 6 and 9; second-choice premium schools usually have capacity.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Paris families pick the 7th, 16th and the western suburbs (Saint-Germain, Saint-Cloud, Croissy). Beijing families pick Shunyi, Liangmaqiao and the Chaoyang Park area.
