Vienna vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lyon is ~27% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $932 | +$459 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $666 | +$402 |
| Groceries | $487 | $304 | +$183 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $15 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $63 | $1 |
| Utilities | $224 | $146 | +$78 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,093/mo | -$407 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,458/mo | -$542 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,186/mo | -$814 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lyon is approximately 27% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Lyon a $459/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,508 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Lyon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.