Dublin vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~48% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $932 | +$2,210 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $666 | +$1,789 |
| Groceries | $420 | $304 | +$116 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $15 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $63 | +$51 |
| Utilities | $225 | $146 | +$79 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $780/mo | -$720 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,040/mo | -$960 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,560/mo | -$1,440 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 48% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $2,210/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $26,520 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 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.