Lyon vs Wrocław
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wrocław is ~37% 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
Wrocław
Poland
COL+Rent
25.4
Rent Index
12
Groceries
33.7
Restaurant
37
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lyon | Wrocław | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $932 | $533 | +$399 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $666 | $384 | +$282 |
| Groceries | $304 | $197 | +$107 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $11 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $63 | $26 | +$37 |
| Utilities | $146 | $139 | +$7 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lyon | Wrocław |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,148/mo | $731/mo |
| Typical | $1,670/mo | $1,060/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,096/mo | $1,344/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lyon | ≈ in Wrocław | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $945/mo | -$555 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,261/mo | -$739 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,891/mo | -$1,109 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lyon vs Wrocław for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wrocław is approximately 37% more affordable than Lyon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lyon's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Wrocław's 25.4 (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 $533/month in Wrocław — giving Wrocław a $399/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,788 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lyon ($304/mo) vs Wrocław ($197/mo) reflect Wrocław's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $11 show Wrocław offers cheaper dining. 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, Wrocław offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,060 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.