City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Lyon vs Brussels — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Lyon
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Lyon.
Brussels
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 54.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Brussels.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Lyon | Brussels | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,479 | $2,797 | $318 |
| Groceries | $943 | $725 | +$218 |
| Dining Out | $558 | $486 | +$72 |
| Transportation | $195 | $101 | +$94 |
| Utilities | $453 | $472 | $19 |
| Other / Misc | $372 | $419 | $47 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Lyon
$5,000
per month
Brussels equivalent
$6,811
per month
You'd need $6,811/mo in Brussels to match $5,000/mo in Lyon.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Lyon on $5,000/month?
Living in Lyon on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,479 to rent, $943 to groceries, $558 to dining.
Can I live in Brussels on $5,000/month?
In Brussels, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,797 rent, $725 groceries, $486 dining.
Is Lyon or Brussels cheaper?
Lyon is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Lyon 40.3 vs Brussels 54.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Lyon worth in Brussels?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Lyon equals ~$6,811/mo in Brussels using COL adjustment.