Rome vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~17% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $932 | +$494 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $666 | +$334 |
| Groceries | $329 | $304 | +$25 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $15 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $63 | $26 |
| Utilities | $211 | $146 | +$65 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,244/mo | -$256 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,658/mo | -$342 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,488/mo | -$512 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 17% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Rome costs $1,426/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $494/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,928 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.