Lyon vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~27% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $1,391 | $459 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $1,068 | $402 |
| Groceries | $304 | $487 | $183 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $20 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $62 | +$1 |
| Utilities | $146 | $224 | $78 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,058/mo | +$558 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,744/mo | +$744 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,117/mo | +$1,117 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 27% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Lyon costs $932/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Lyon a $459/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,508 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $20 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.