Seattle vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~40% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $932 | +$1,621 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $666 | +$1,335 |
| Groceries | $471 | $304 | +$167 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $15 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $63 | +$20 |
| Utilities | $191 | $146 | +$45 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $893/mo | -$607 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,191/mo | -$809 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,786/mo | -$1,214 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 40% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $1,621/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $19,452 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.