😐A single person spends $2,173 per month in Lyon vs $2,131 in Villeurbanne, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,273 per month in Lyon vs $3,001 in Villeurbanne, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,373 per month in Lyon vs $3,870 in Villeurbanne, rent included.
😐Lyon costs about 2% more than Villeurbanne, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lyon and Villeurbanne sit above the global median – Lyon by 61%, Villeurbanne by 58%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.20€14.64
$17.22€14.65
-0.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.5€65.1
$57.6€48.97
32.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.89€10.97
$13.54€11.52
-4.80%
Cappuccino
$3.94€3.35
$4.01€3.41
-1.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98€2.53
$2.84€2.42
4.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83€1.55
$1.93€1.64
-5.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.21€6.98
$5.67€4.83
44.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.00€5.96
$6.96€5.93
0.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55€1.32
$1.40€1.19
10.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.65€2.25
$2.62€2.23
1.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.55€2.17
$2.63€2.24
-3.04%
Eggs
$4.21€3.58
$4.03€3.43
4.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$25.06€21.32
$19.34€16.45
29.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.78€13.43
$15.49€13.18
1.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.24€21.48
$25.45€21.65
-0.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.84€2.41
$3.09€2.63
-8.09%
Banana(1kg)
$2.58€2.19
$2.48€2.11
4.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.62€3.08
$3.56€3.03
1.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.90€3.32
$3.84€3.27
1.56%
Potato(1kg)
$2.89€2.46
$2.35€2.00
22.98%
Onion(1kg)
$2.70€2.29
$2.86€2.43
-5.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43€1.21
$1.47€1.25
-2.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90€0.77
$0.86€0.73
4.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.65€11.61
$13.67€11.63
-0.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.37€7.12
$8.35€7.11
0.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.05€2.59
$3.05€2.60
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07€2.61
$3.21€2.73
-4.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.50€2.13
$2.33€1.98
7.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$84.3€71.7
$84.6€72.0
-0.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.82€4.96
$5.15€4.38
13.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.82€1.55
$1.90€1.62
-4.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$56.9€48.38
$33.37€28.40
70.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.07€1.76
$2.01€1.71
2.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1K€31.6K
$37.0K€31.5K
0.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8K€31.3K
$37.3K€31.8K
-1.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$288€245
$196€167
46.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.60€19.23
$22.85€19.44
-1.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.86€31.37
$34.21€29.11
7.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.66€37.16
$37.05€31.53
17.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.69€19.31
$18.15€15.45
25.01%
Cinema Ticket
$14.08€11.99
$14.01€11.92
0.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$735€626
$752€640
-2.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0K€10.2K
$7,953€6,768
51.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109€92.9
$101€85.5
8.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.8€43.25
$46.10€39.23
10.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122€104
$120€102
1.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$163€139
$179€152
-8.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$971€826
$1,038€883
-6.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709€604
$763€649
-6.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,914€1,629
$1,198€1,019
59.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,227€1,044
$894€761
37.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,818€5,802
$5,248€4,466
29.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,120€3,506
$2,985€2,540
38.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lyon
Villeurbanne
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,220€2,740
$3,809€3,241
-15.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.76
3.67
2.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lyon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Villeurbanne: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $971 in Lyon versus $1,038 in Villeurbanne. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 18% higher in Villeurbanne, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $77 in Lyon versus $58 in Villeurbanne. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $431 vs $410 – making Villeurbanne the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Villeurbanne: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lyon or Villeurbanne?
Lyon costs about 2% more than Villeurbanne, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lyon vs Villeurbanne?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,260 per month in Lyon and $3,197 in Villeurbanne. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lyon or Villeurbanne?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Villeurbanne, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Lyon compared to Villeurbanne?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,173 in Lyon and $2,131 in Villeurbanne. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Lyon vs Villeurbanne?
Public transport costs about 0% less in Villeurbanne. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lyon or Villeurbanne?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Villeurbanne, where all-in costs run around $2,131, than in Lyon at $2,173. In Villeurbanne it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lyon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lyon or Villeurbanne?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Villeurbanne costs $2,131 versus $2,173 in Lyon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lyon compared to Villeurbanne?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Lyon or Villeurbanne?
If budget matters most, go with Villeurbanne. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lyon makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.