Lyon vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~9% 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
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $1,369 | $437 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $1,088 | $422 |
| Groceries | $304 | $331 | $27 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $17 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $75 | $12 |
| Utilities | $146 | $129 | +$17 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,656/mo | +$156 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,208/mo | +$208 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,313/mo | +$313 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 9% more affordable than Montreal when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Montreal's 44.5 (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 $1,369/month in Montreal — giving Lyon a $437/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,244 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $17 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.