Lyon vs Oslo
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~40% 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
Oslo
Norway
COL+Rent
67.4
Rent Index
38.5
Groceries
98.2
Restaurant
106.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Oslo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $1,954 | $1,022 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $1,492 | $826 |
| Groceries | $304 | $604 | $300 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $28 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $93 | $30 |
| Utilities | $146 | $195 | $49 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Oslo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $2,315/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $3,266/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $4,100/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Oslo | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,509/mo | +$1,009 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,345/mo | +$1,345 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,017/mo | +$2,017 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Oslo for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 40% more affordable than Oslo when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Oslo's 67.4 (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 $1,954/month in Oslo — giving Lyon a $1,022/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,264 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Oslo ($604/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $28 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.