✦ Cost of living
Lyon
Lyon, France
US = 100
In plain terms: Lyon is about 1% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing98−2%
- Food & groceries107+7%
- Transport78−22%
- Utilities112+12%
- Healthcare82−18%
- Goods & services107+7%
Is Lyon expensive?
Not really — Lyon indexes at 99 against a US average of 100, so a month here lands within a few percent of a typical US city. Expect the surprises in individual lines rather than in the total.
Of the 87 cities we track, Lyon ranks #43 by overall cost — 44 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Lyon costs
One person
$2,460/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$3,540/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$6,200/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $680 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Food & groceries | $490 | $720 | $1,200 |
| Transport | $470 | $690 | $1,150 |
| Utilities | $220 | $340 | $560 |
| Healthcare | $230 | $340 | $570 |
| Goods & services | $370 | $550 | $920 |
| Total per month | $2,460 | $3,540 | $6,200 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Lyon
A UNESCO-listed city where two rivers meet — France's food capital, a two-hour TGV from Paris at a fraction of its rents. Renaissance streets, a strong tech and biotech scene and easy weekend access to the Alps make it a favourite softer landing than the capital.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- French
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 160 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 66/100
- Climate
- ❄ 4°C · ☀ 22°C · 200 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- E · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Presqu'île · Croix-Rousse · Confluence · Vieux Lyon
About
“France's gastronomic capital”
A UNESCO-listed city where two rivers meet — France's food capital, a two-hour TGV from Paris at a fraction of its rents. Renaissance streets, a strong tech and biotech scene and easy weekend access to the Alps make it a favourite softer landing than the capital.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- French
- Coordinates
- 45.76, 4.84
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
20%
VAT / sales
22%
Social (employee)
25%
Corporate
30%
Capital gains
$2,600
Avg net salary
per month
Plus high social charges.
Visas & residency
Talent Passport for skilled workers, founders and researchers.
✈ Schengen: 90/180 days visa-free for many passports.
Skilled workers, founders, investors.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
74/100
Safety
66/100
Healthcare
85/100
Pollution
45/100
Internet
160 Mbps
Jan avg
+4 °C
Jul avg
+22 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
82/100
Public transit
80/100
Family-friendly
74/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 30
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Lyon without a car?
81/100
Car-free score
82/100
Walkability
80/100
Public transport
Yes — Lyon scores 81/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Lyon indexes at 78 against a US average of 100 — about 22% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Lyon ranks #19 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Lyon — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$900
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$680
- Inexpensive meal$15
- Monthly transit pass$70
- Utilities (monthly)$180
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Lyon, FR expensive to live in?
Lyon, FR's cost-of-living index is 99 (US average = 100) — about 1% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #43 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $2,460 a month and a family of four around $6,200, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Lyon, FR?
Lyon, FR's cost-of-living index is 99 (US average = 100) — about 1% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $900 per month.
What are the average living costs in Lyon, FR?
Living costs in Lyon, FR are about 1% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 99 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Lyon, FR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $900 per month, and around $680 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in France?
France has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 20%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Lyon, FR?
Lyon, FR averages around +4 °C in January and +22 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Lyon, FR safe?
Lyon, FR scores 66 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Lyon, FR without a car?
Lyon, FR scores 81/100 on our car-free score — 82/100 for walkability and 80/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.