Lyon vs Medellín
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~53% 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
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $332 | +$600 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $217 | +$449 |
| Groceries | $304 | $198 | +$106 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $7 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $27 | +$36 |
| Utilities | $146 | $43 | +$103 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $454/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $705/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $899/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Medellín | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $711/mo | -$789 |
| $2,000/mo | $948/mo | -$1,052 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,422/mo | -$1,578 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Medellín for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 53% more affordable than Lyon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Medellín's 19.1 (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 Lyon costs $932/month versus $332/month in Medellín — giving Medellín a $600/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,200 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Medellín ($198/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $7 show Medellín 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, Medellín offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $705 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.