🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,068 in Aix-en-Provence versus $2,155 in Lyon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,196 in Aix-en-Provence versus $3,306 in Lyon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,325 in Aix-en-Provence versus $4,456 in Lyon.
🌍Living in Aix-en-Provence costs roughly 4% less than in Lyon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Aix-en-Provence55% above, Lyon61% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.42€15.22
$17.24€15.06
1.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.8€51.4
$75.1€65.6
-21.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.92€11.29
$12.77€11.15
1.17%
Cappuccino
$3.47€3.03
$3.86€3.38
-10.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63€2.29
$2.98€2.61
-11.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72€1.50
$1.78€1.56
-3.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.79€5.93
$7.92€6.92
-14.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.82€5.96
$7.00€6.11
-2.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31€1.14
$1.53€1.33
-14.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62€1.41
$2.55€2.22
-36.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.44€2.13
$2.56€2.23
-4.69%
Eggs
$4.42€3.86
$4.21€3.68
4.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.95€17.43
$24.28€21.22
-17.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.87€10.37
$15.78€13.79
-24.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.41€15.21
$25.54€22.32
-31.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.16€1.89
$2.71€2.36
-20.30%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11€1.84
$2.56€2.24
-17.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.68€2.34
$3.62€3.16
-25.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.16
$3.91€3.42
-36.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.70€1.48
$2.79€2.44
-39.07%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27€1.98
$2.85€2.49
-20.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.48€1.29
$1.42€1.24
4.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76€0.67
$0.85€0.74
-10.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.61€11.02
$13.96€12.20
-9.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.46€7.39
$8.12€7.09
4.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.58€3.12
$3.09€2.70
15.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74€2.40
$3.24€2.83
-15.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.52€1.33
$2.37€2.07
-35.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.80€30.41
$83.3€72.8
-58.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.95€2.58
$5.62€4.91
-47.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.74€1.52
$1.89€1.65
-7.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$33.99€29.69
$58.0€50.7
-41.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98€1.73
$2.01€1.75
-1.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.5K€28.4K
$37.7K€32.9K
-13.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€34.4K
$37.9K€33.1K
3.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$213€186
$285€249
-25.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.95€23.54
$22.33€19.51
20.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.56€32.81
$37.28€32.57
0.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.87€35.71
$44.26€38.67
-7.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.58€15.36
$22.98€20.08
-23.50%
Cinema Ticket
$15.49€13.53
$13.94€12.18
11.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,092€954
$739€645
47.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.6K€11.9K
$12.1K€10.6K
12.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$133€117
$110€95.7
21.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.4€55.4
$50.9€44.44
24.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€89.8
$120€104
-14.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140€122
$164€144
-14.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,135€991
$958€837
18.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$862€753
$689€602
25.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,085€1,821
$1,969€1,720
5.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,657€1,448
$1,223€1,069
35.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,637€6,672
$6,652€5,812
14.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,798€4,192
$3,985€3,482
20.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aix-en-Provence
Lyon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,544€3,096
$3,179€2,778
11.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
3.76
-6.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aix-en-Provence: July 12, 2026
Last update for Lyon: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,135 in Aix-en-Provence and $958 in Lyon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Aix-en-Provence pays 11% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $59.0 in Aix-en-Provence vs $75.0 in Lyon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $340 vs $427 per month, with Aix-en-Provence cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Aix-en-Provence vs Lyon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lyon cheaper than Aix-en-Provence?
Aix-en-Provence is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Aix-en-Provence or Lyon?
Average pay runs 11% higher in Aix-en-Provence, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Aix-en-Provence and Lyon?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,135 in Aix-en-Provence versus $958 in Lyon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Aix-en-Provence and in Lyon?
All in, you'll spend $2,068 per month in Aix-en-Provence versus $2,155 in Lyon – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Aix-en-Provence runs roughly 139% less than in Lyon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Aix-en-Provence or in Lyon?
At $2,068 in Aix-en-Provence versus $2,155 in Lyon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Aix-en-Provence but tight or insufficient in Lyon. The gap between the two cities makes Aix-en-Provence the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Aix-en-Provence or Lyon more family-friendly?
For families, Aix-en-Provence is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lyon, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Aix-en-Provence or Lyon?
Safety-wise, Aix-en-Provence and Lyon are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Aix-en-Provence gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Lyon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Aix-en-Provence vs other spots: cost of living compared