London vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~45% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $932 | +$1,571 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $666 | +$1,294 |
| Groceries | $422 | $304 | +$118 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $15 | +$13 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $63 | +$50 |
| Utilities | $258 | $146 | +$112 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $829/mo | -$671 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,106/mo | -$894 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,658/mo | -$1,342 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 45% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 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 London costs $2,503/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $1,571/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $18,852 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 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.