City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
São Paulo vs Lyon — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
São Paulo
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 23.4 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in São Paulo.
Lyon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lyon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | São Paulo | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $649 | $744 | $95 |
| Groceries | $390 | $283 | +$107 |
| Dining Out | $183 | $168 | +$15 |
| Transportation | $80 | $59 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $102 | $136 | $34 |
| Other / Misc | $96 | $110 | $14 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
São Paulo
$1,500
per month
Lyon equivalent
$2,583
per month
You'd need $2,583/mo in Lyon to match $1,500/mo in São Paulo.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in São Paulo on $1,500/month?
Living in São Paulo on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$649 to rent, $390 to groceries, $183 to dining.
Can I live in Lyon on $1,500/month?
In Lyon, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $744 rent, $283 groceries, $168 dining.
Is São Paulo or Lyon cheaper?
São Paulo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: São Paulo 23.4 vs Lyon 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in São Paulo worth in Lyon?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in São Paulo equals ~$2,583/mo in Lyon using COL adjustment.