Galway vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~14% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Galway
Ireland
COL+Rent
47.1
Rent Index
36.5
Groceries
52.8
Restaurant
50.5
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Galway | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,547 | $932 | +$615 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,209 | $666 | +$543 |
| Groceries | $299 | $304 | $5 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $15 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $81 | $63 | +$18 |
| Utilities | $160 | $146 | +$14 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Galway | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,727/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $2,342/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,889/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Galway | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,283/mo | -$217 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,711/mo | -$289 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,567/mo | -$433 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Galway vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 14% more affordable than Galway when combining rent and daily living costs. Galway's COL+Rent Index of 47.1 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Galway costs $1,547/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $615/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,380 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Galway ($299/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Galway's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 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.