City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Amsterdam vs Lyon — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Amsterdam
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 65.5 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo barely covers basics in Amsterdam.
Lyon
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Amsterdam | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,861 | $1,487 | +$374 |
| Groceries | $336 | $566 | $230 |
| Dining Out | $237 | $335 | $98 |
| Transportation | $98 | $117 | $19 |
| Utilities | $189 | $272 | $83 |
| Other / Misc | $279 | $223 | +$56 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Amsterdam
$3,000
per month
Lyon equivalent
$1,846
per month
Only $1,846/mo in Lyon matches $3,000/mo in Amsterdam — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Amsterdam on $3,000/month?
Living in Amsterdam on $3,000/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$1,861 to rent, $336 to groceries, $237 to dining.
Can I live in Lyon on $3,000/month?
In Lyon, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,487 rent, $566 groceries, $335 dining.
Is Amsterdam or Lyon cheaper?
Lyon is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Amsterdam 65.5 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Amsterdam worth in Lyon?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Amsterdam equals ~$1,846/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.