City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Brussels vs Lyon — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Brussels
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 54.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Brussels.
Lyon
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Brussels | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,797 | $2,479 | +$318 |
| Groceries | $725 | $943 | $218 |
| Dining Out | $486 | $558 | $72 |
| Transportation | $101 | $195 | $94 |
| Utilities | $472 | $453 | +$19 |
| Other / Misc | $419 | $372 | +$47 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Brussels
$5,000
per month
Lyon equivalent
$3,670
per month
Only $3,670/mo in Lyon matches $5,000/mo in Brussels — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Brussels on $5,000/month?
Living in Brussels on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,797 to rent, $725 to groceries, $486 to dining.
Can I live in Lyon on $5,000/month?
In Lyon, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,479 rent, $943 groceries, $558 dining.
Is Brussels or Lyon cheaper?
Lyon is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Brussels 54.9 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Brussels worth in Lyon?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Brussels equals ~$3,670/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.