Chicago vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~29% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Chicago | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,998 | $932 | +$1,066 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,566 | $666 | +$900 |
| Groceries | $418 | $304 | +$114 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $15 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $73 | $63 | +$10 |
| Utilities | $169 | $146 | +$23 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Chicago | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,189/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $2,988/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,701/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Chicago | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,059/mo | -$441 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,412/mo | -$588 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,117/mo | -$883 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Chicago vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 29% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Chicago's COL+Rent Index of 57.1 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Chicago costs $1,998/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $1,066/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,792 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Chicago ($418/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $15 show Lyon offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Lyon offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,670 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.