Lyon vs Aarhus
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~11% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Aarhus
Denmark
COL+Rent
45.1
Rent Index
20.8
Groceries
64
Restaurant
78
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Aarhus | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $1,040 | $108 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $781 | $115 |
| Groceries | $304 | $405 | $101 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $25 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $53 | +$10 |
| Utilities | $146 | $161 | $15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Aarhus |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $1,379/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $2,034/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $2,646/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Aarhus | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,679/mo | +$179 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,238/mo | +$238 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,357/mo | +$357 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Aarhus for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 11% more affordable than Aarhus when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Aarhus's 45.1 (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 Lyon costs $932/month versus $1,040/month in Aarhus — giving Lyon a $108/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Aarhus ($405/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $25 show Lyon is the better value for dining out. 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.