Lyon vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~21% 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
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $1,478 | $546 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $1,179 | $513 |
| Groceries | $304 | $404 | $100 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $18 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $111 | $48 |
| Utilities | $146 | $141 | +$5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,895/mo | +$395 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,526/mo | +$526 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,789/mo | +$789 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 21% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Wellington's 50.9 (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 $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Lyon a $546/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,552 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $18 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.