✦ 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%
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
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) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
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.
❖ Compare Lyon with…
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.