At a glance
| Factor | Paris | New Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 27,000 to 37,000 | INR 7 to 14 lakh (USD 8,500 to 17,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, French bilingual, British, American | IB, IGCSE, CBSE, American |
| Cost of living vs Paris (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | About 70 percent lower |
| Family visa | Talent Passport or employer sponsor | Employment visa plus X-series family dependants |
| Expat share of city | About 14 percent in Paris metro | About 5 percent in Delhi NCR |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Paris is roughly three to four times more expensive than New Delhi across schools, housing and disposable spending, but it offers world-class IB outcomes, mature French and bilingual schools, and unparalleled European access. New Delhi gives families a much larger home, domestic staff, and credible IB and British schools at a third of the price, with the trade-off of seasonal air quality and slower civic services.
Schools landscape side by side
Paris's international market is concentrated around five names that families consistently shortlist: the International School of Paris (IB continuum), the American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud, the British School of Paris in Croissy-sur-Seine, Ecole Jeannine Manuel (bilingual IB) and the Lycee International of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Capacity tightens early at ISP and Jeannine Manuel; both run waiting lists from Year 1 onward.
New Delhi's bench has grown sharply since 2018. The American Embassy School (AES) remains the diplomatic standard. The British School New Delhi (Chanakyapuri) runs the full IB continuum alongside IGCSE. Pathways World School Aravali and Pathways Noida sit just outside the centre. Step by Step World School, GD Goenka World School and Shri Ram School round out the choice. Most schools admit qualified applicants within four to six weeks outside peak August intake. See our Paris city guide and New Delhi city guide for current shortlists.
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Fees and value for money
International School of Paris publishes 2026 to 2027 fees of EUR 28,300 in Reception rising to EUR 36,900 in Diploma years, plus a one-off EUR 6,500 capital contribution. The British School of Paris runs EUR 22,000 to 31,500 across the year groups with a first-year EUR 4,500 enrolment fee. American School of Paris fees sit between EUR 25,000 and EUR 36,000. Add 15 to 25 percent for bus, lunch, trips and the matriculation deposit.
The British School New Delhi publishes 2025 to 2026 fees of INR 9.5 lakh in lower primary up to INR 14.6 lakh in IB Diploma (roughly USD 11,500 to USD 17,600). AES is comparable at USD 23,000 to USD 32,000 for senior years but only takes children of US-affiliated parents. Pathways and Step by Step run INR 6 to 11 lakh per year. Most relocating families budget USD 12,000 to USD 20,000 per child all in. Use our school fees explorer for live comparisons.
Curriculum availability
Paris is dominated by the IB Diploma and the French Baccalaureate, with British IGCSE and A Level at BSP and selected sections of Jeannine Manuel, plus a strong American Advanced Placement route at ASP. New Delhi runs IB and Cambridge IGCSE at premium schools, the Indian CBSE board at most national private schools, and limited American AP at AES. For curriculum deep dives see the IB curriculum hub, the British curriculum hub and the American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Paris, international school families cluster in the 7th and 16th arrondissements, Neuilly-sur-Seine and Saint-Cloud near ASP and BSP, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye for the Lycee International. A 4-bedroom flat in the 16th runs EUR 5,500 to 9,500 per month; a townhouse in Saint-Cloud or Saint-Germain runs EUR 4,500 to 8,500. In New Delhi, families pick Vasant Vihar, Chanakyapuri, Shanti Niketan and Westend, with Gurgaon (DLF Phase 1 to 5) for families at Pathways or Shri Ram. A modern 4-bedroom on Gurgaon's Golf Course Road runs INR 2.5 to 5 lakh per month (USD 3,000 to 6,000).
Lifestyle and climate
Paris is a four-season city with mild winters, cool summers, and the densest cultural calendar of any European capital. Public transport, healthcare and child safety are excellent. New Delhi has dramatic seasons: winter is crisp and clear, summer is brutal above 40 degrees Celsius, and the October to January window brings significant air pollution that drives many families to use indoor purifiers and limit outdoor sports. Domestic help is common and affordable, which makes day to day family logistics smoother than in Paris.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Paris if academic depth, European access and lifestyle credentials matter more than disposable income, and you can absorb school fees and rent that consume a serious share of senior expat packages. Choose New Delhi if you want a larger home, household help and a senior India role on a posting basis, and you are comfortable managing air quality through autumn and winter. Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit. The five year all-in delta between similar schools and similar housing typically runs USD 250,000 to 400,000 in New Delhi's favour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paris or New Delhi cheaper for international school families in 2026?
New Delhi is dramatically cheaper. Total all-in family costs (school fees, housing, food and lifestyle) typically run two to three times higher in Paris, even though Paris school fees alone are only about double.
Which city has better international schools?
Paris has the deeper IB and British bench and more mature senior-year cohorts. New Delhi's top schools (AES, British School New Delhi, Pathways) are credible IB providers, but the market is younger and senior pathway depth is thinner.
Is the family visa easier in Paris or New Delhi?
Both are workable. France's Talent Passport and Carte de Sejour for employees cover the family, with longer documentation. India's employment visa is fast but the X-series dependant visa is tied to the principal sponsor and has stricter renewal cycles.
How long does school admissions take in each city?
Paris top schools commonly return decisions in eight to twelve weeks for senior intake, longer for ISP. New Delhi schools usually return decisions in four to six weeks for mid-year intakes.
Where do most international families live in each city?
Paris families cluster in the 7th, 16th, Neuilly, Saint-Cloud and Saint-Germain. New Delhi families pick Vasant Vihar, Chanakyapuri, Shanti Niketan, Westend, and DLF Phases 1 to 5 in Gurgaon.
