Lyon

France ·Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · Europe ·UTC UTC+1/UTC+2

Cost Medium

Safety ★★★★☆

English Moderate

Currency EUR €

City Overview

Lyon is France’s second metro area and a historic city (the Presqu’île and Old Town are World Heritage), long a capital of trade, silk and cuisine (a "world gastronomy capital"). Today finance, biopharma (the "Health Valley"), digital and conventions all thrive — the economic engine of the Rhône-Alpes. At the meeting of two rivers and well-connected (TGV to Paris ~2 h), its living and housing costs are well below Paris, with strong livability and culture.

Cost of Living Snapshot

1BR Apartment €750–1,200/mo (centre); €550–850/mo (outer)

Dining Out €13–20 (bistro/casual); €45–80 (restaurant for 2)

Monthly Transport Monthly pass ~€68; ride-hailing from €7

Monthly Groceries €260–390/mo (groceries)

USD Reference： Approx. USD 810–1,300/mo (1BR centre, 2025 rates)

Full Cost of Living Report →

Data above is approximate. Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around

Metro (4 lines) + trams + funiculars + buses; TCL card. TGV to Paris (~2 h)/Marseille (~1.5 h). Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) with the Rhônexpress airport rail.