City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Kyoto vs Lyon — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Kyoto
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 27.4 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Kyoto.
Lyon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Kyoto | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $604 | $744 | $140 |
| Groceries | $383 | $283 | +$100 |
| Dining Out | $126 | $168 | $42 |
| Transportation | $77 | $59 | +$18 |
| Utilities | $219 | $136 | +$83 |
| Other / Misc | $91 | $110 | $19 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Kyoto
$1,500
per month
Lyon equivalent
$2,206
per month
You'd need $2,206/mo in Lyon to match $1,500/mo in Kyoto.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Kyoto on $1,500/month?
Living in Kyoto on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$604 to rent, $383 to groceries, $126 to dining.
Can I live in Lyon on $1,500/month?
In Lyon, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $744 rent, $283 groceries, $168 dining.
Is Kyoto or Lyon cheaper?
Kyoto is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Kyoto 27.4 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Kyoto worth in Lyon?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Kyoto equals ~$2,206/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.