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Lyon (greater city) · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · France · Europe

Cost of Living in Lyon (greater city), France
2026 Expat Guide

moderately affordable 22% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

At a cost-of-living index of 67.7 (NYC = 100), Lyon (greater city) sits firmly among moderately priced destinations in France. Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center typically runs around ~$515, while a basic restaurant meal costs roughly ~$15.

With a population of 1.3 million, Lyon (greater city) is a major city in France.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇫🇷 France Pop. 1.3M Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$515*
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$2,484
net/month
Cheap Meal
N/A
restaurant
Groceries
N/A
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Lyon (greater city) 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
N/A
Monthly Groceries
N/A
Monthly Transport
N/A
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$515*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$355*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant MealN/APer person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly GroceriesN/ASingle person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly TransportN/ATransit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
21%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · France

Avg net salary
N/A
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$446
Internet speed
122 Mbps
Safety index
6.9
HDI
0.910
Life expectancy
76.6 yrs
Purchasing power
66.2

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$515*Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$355*Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$446France (national)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant mealN/APer person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)N/A3-course
Monthly groceries (single)N/ASingle person estimate
Country food basketN/AFrance (national avg)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit passN/APublic transport avg.

City Insight

In Lyon (greater city), a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($515/mo) absorbs approximately 21% of the average net salary ($2,484/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for France
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in France for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Lyon (greater city) · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

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Estimate your personal monthly spend in Lyon (greater city).

Frequently Asked Questions

Lyon (greater city) cost of living

Is Lyon (greater city) cheap to live in?
Lyon (greater city) is moderately affordable with a CoL Index of 67.7. It is cheaper than most Western cities, making it popular with digital nomads and expats. A comfortable single-person lifestyle typically costs $677–$948/month.
What is the average rent in Lyon (greater city)?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Lyon (greater city) costs approximately $515/month, while outside the city centre it averages $355/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Lyon (greater city)?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Lyon (greater city) requires approximately $584/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $326/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $1,000+/month.
How does Lyon (greater city) compare to New York City for cost of living?
Lyon (greater city) is approximately 32% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 67.7 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 78% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Lyon (greater city)?
The average net monthly salary in Lyon (greater city) is approximately $2,484, equivalent to around $29,808/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Lyon (greater city)

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Similar cost cities are computed from the CoL Index.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.