Milan vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~29% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $932 | +$866 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $666 | +$596 |
| Groceries | $372 | $304 | +$68 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $15 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $63 | $21 |
| Utilities | $239 | $146 | +$93 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,061/mo | -$439 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,414/mo | -$586 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,121/mo | -$879 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 29% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Lyon's 40.3 (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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $866/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,392 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $15 show Lyon 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, 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.