Emily in Paris makes the marketing world look incredibly glamorous, but what does it really cost? Between rent, utilities, and a closet full of designer clothes, Emily’s lifestyle adds up quickly. Let’s look at the numbers to see how her spending compares to her earnings in real life.


Financial Reality Check
Total Income Made: $82,620 (from both marketing and influencer work)
Expenses:
- Rent (Yearly): $33,864
- Utilities: $2,372
- Food: $3,239
- Nightlife: $1,395
- Clothes: $75,795 (discounts included—thanks to influencer perks)
Total Spend: $116,665/year
Even with a marketing salary of $46,980 and influencer income, Emily’s lifestyle would result in spending $116,665 while making only $82,620—a significant gap.
What TV Gets Wrong
- Rapid Career Rise
Emily’s career skyrockets despite her lack of French cultural and language knowledge. In reality, advancing in marketing abroad requires years of experience, local understanding, and strong language skills. - Perfect Campaigns? Think Again!
Emily’s spontaneous campaign ideas are portrayed as flawless, but real marketing demands thorough planning, research, and constant revisions. - Instant Virality Isn’t Common
Emily’s posts seem to go viral effortlessly, yet, in reality, creating viral content takes strategy, timing, and a fair bit of luck. - Marketing Is a Team Effort
Unlike Emily’s solo approach, marketing involves collaboration across teams—creative, analytics, finance, and more. - Budget Limitations
The show skips over financial constraints, whereas real marketers have to justify every expense and work within budget restrictions. - Overestimated Social Media Impact
Emily’s posts have exaggerated results. In reality, social media success takes consistency and isn’t driven by a single post. - The Missing Data Analysis
Data-driven strategies are the backbone of real marketing campaigns, but the show glosses over this crucial aspect. - Glamour vs. Reality
While Emily’s life is full of extravagant events, real marketing work often revolves around meetings, desk work, and strategic planning.
Emily in Rome: A New Adventure
After experiencing Paris, Emily heads to Rome, embracing the city’s unique culture and style. This shift is more than a plot twist—it’s a new opportunity to explore marketing in a fresh context.
Rome’s Influence on the Show
- Visual Rebrand: The series trades Parisian chic for Roman grandeur, incorporating ancient architecture and warm tones.
- Cultural Adaptation: Italian marketing demands a localized approach, reflecting Rome’s history and vibrant energy.
- Fashion Industry Dynamics: Moving to Rome brings a new perspective on Italy’s iconic fashion culture, different from France’s.


Reality Check: What Marketers Face in Italy
- Work-Life Balance
Rome’s relaxed way of life doesn’t always work with a busy schedule. Spontaneous plans and long lunches can be hard to fit in when you have real responsibilities. - Building Relationships Takes Time
Establishing friendships or romances abroad isn’t as fast as the show suggests. It takes time to form genuine connections. - Language Barriers
Getting around Italy without speaking the language can be funny—or just really frustrating, even if Emily makes it look easy.
Cultural Etiquette in Rome
Emily may find herself in trouble if she’s not careful. Sitting on the Spanish Steps or dragging luggage up and down them has been banned since 2019, with fines of up to €400. As a marketer or tourist, respecting cultural rules is essential.
Sources for Financial and Cost Data:
- Influencer Income: Influencer Marketing Hub, Social Blade
- Marketing Salary: Glassdoor, Payscale
- Cost of Living (Rent, Utilities, Food, Nightlife): Numbeo, Expatistan
- Fashion & Lifestyle Spending: Statista, Euromonitor International
- Currency Conversion: XE.com, OANDA