Lyon vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~47% 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
San Francisco
United States
COL+Rent
75.6
Rent Index
63.1
Groceries
91.5
Restaurant
96.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | San Francisco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $2,868 | $1,936 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $2,248 | $1,582 |
| Groceries | $304 | $525 | $221 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $28 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $92 | $29 |
| Utilities | $146 | $212 | $66 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $3,032/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $4,117/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $5,072/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,814/mo | +$1,314 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,752/mo | +$1,752 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,628/mo | +$2,628 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs San Francisco for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 47% more affordable than San Francisco when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs San Francisco's 75.6 (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 $2,868/month in San Francisco — giving Lyon a $1,936/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $23,232 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs San Francisco ($525/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.