😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,086 in Lyon versus $1,958 in Chalon-sur-Saône.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,232 in Lyon versus $2,880 in Chalon-sur-Saône.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,379 in Lyon versus $3,803 in Chalon-sur-Saône.
🌍Living in Lyon is roughly 7% more expensive than in Chalon-sur-Saône, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lyon52% above, Chalon-sur-Saône43% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.03€14.84
$17.35€15.13
-1.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.2€61.2
$58.4€50.9
20.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.83€12.05
$13.92€12.14
-0.65%
Cappuccino
$4.36€3.80
$3.44€2.99
26.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86€2.50
$2.32€2.03
23.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80€1.57
$1.58€1.38
13.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.32€7.25
$6.92€6.03
20.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.42€5.59
$6.79€5.91
-5.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.60€1.40
$1.32€1.15
21.21%
White Bread(500g)
$2.08€1.81
$1.75€1.53
18.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.71€2.36
$2.52€2.20
7.54%
Eggs
$4.64€4.05
$4.60€4.01
0.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$23.52€20.50
$21.09€18.38
11.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.85€12.08
$11.13€9.70
24.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$27.45€23.92
$18.83€16.42
45.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.45€2.14
$2.15€1.88
13.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.41€2.10
$2.22€1.94
8.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.36€2.93
$3.22€2.81
4.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.42€2.98
$2.26€1.97
51.33%
Potato(1kg)
$2.76€2.41
$2.55€2.22
8.24%
Onion(1kg)
$3.00€2.62
$2.24€1.96
33.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43€1.25
$1.48€1.29
-3.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21€1.06
$1.46€1.27
-17.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.16€12.34
$14.28€12.45
-0.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.02€7.86
$9.95€8.68
-9.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80€2.44
$4.19€3.65
-33.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60€3.14
$4.55€3.97
-20.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.48€2.16
$1.59€1.39
55.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$84.6€73.8
$49.77€43.39
70.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.27€7.21
$3.17€2.76
160.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.31€2.01
$2.19€1.91
5.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$42.74€37.26
$31.12€27.12
37.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.20€1.92
$2.20€1.92
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K€31.4K
$35.0K€30.5K
2.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.6K€31.9K
$36.7K€32.0K
-0.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$277€242
$287€250
-3.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.06€13.13
$14.96€13.04
0.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.15€28.02
$35.52€30.96
-9.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.00€38.35
$37.24€32.46
18.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.61€24.94
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.80€12.90
$16.28€14.19
-9.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$640€558
$625€545
2.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K€10.2K
$7,558€6,588
55.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120€104
$91.8€80.0
30.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.79€42.53
$43.78€38.16
11.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$126€110
$95.1€82.9
33.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131€114
$134€117
-2.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$901€785
$796€694
13.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$682€594
$571€498
19.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,862€1,624
$1,421€1,239
31.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,276€1,112
$1,284€1,119
-0.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,541€5,702
$4,017€3,502
62.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,166€3,631
$3,157€2,752
31.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,170€2,763
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.68
3.91
-5.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lyon: September 13, 2026
Last update for Chalon-sur-Saône: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $901 in Lyon and $796 in Chalon-sur-Saône. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Lyon vs $58.0 in Chalon-sur-Saône for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $419 vs $368 per month, with Chalon-sur-Saône 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
Lyon vs Chalon-sur-Saône: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chalon-sur-Saône cheaper than Lyon?
Chalon-sur-Saône is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,129 in Lyon and $2,937 in Chalon-sur-Saône to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Lyon and Chalon-sur-Saône?
Rent for a central apartment: $901 in Lyon versus $796 in Chalon-sur-Saône. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Lyon and in Chalon-sur-Saône?
All in, you'll spend $2,086 per month in Lyon versus $1,958 in Chalon-sur-Saône – a 7% 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 Chalon-sur-Saône runs roughly 70% 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 Lyon or in Chalon-sur-Saône?
At $1,958 in Chalon-sur-Saône versus $2,086 in Lyon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Chalon-sur-Saône but tight or insufficient in Lyon. The gap between the two cities makes Chalon-sur-Saône the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lyon or Chalon-sur-Saône more family-friendly?
For families, Chalon-sur-Saône 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, Lyon or Chalon-sur-Saône?
Safety-wise, Lyon and Chalon-sur-Saône 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 Chalon-sur-Saône gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Lyon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.