๐A single person spends $2,152 per month in Rueil-Malmaison vs $2,155 in Lyon, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,927 per month in Rueil-Malmaison vs $3,300 in Lyon, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,703 per month in Rueil-Malmaison vs $4,445 in Lyon, rent included.
๐Rueil-Malmaison and Lyon have comparable living costs โ the differences are in the details.
๐Both Rueil-Malmaison and Lyon sit above the global median โ Rueil-Malmaison by 61%, Lyon by 61%.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.06โฌ17.11
$17.60โฌ15.01
13.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.15โฌ41.07
$76.2โฌ65.0
-36.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.69โฌ9.97
$12.57โฌ10.72
-7.00%
Cappuccino
$3.36โฌ2.87
$3.85โฌ3.29
-12.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72โฌ2.32
$2.91โฌ2.49
-6.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80โฌ1.53
$1.78โฌ1.52
1.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.82โฌ5.82
$8.00โฌ6.83
-14.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.92โฌ5.05
$6.87โฌ5.86
-13.83%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26โฌ1.07
$1.49โฌ1.27
-15.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.79โฌ1.53
$2.51โฌ2.14
-28.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.63โฌ2.25
$2.68โฌ2.29
-1.87%
Eggs
$4.08โฌ3.48
$4.15โฌ3.54
-1.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.29โฌ16.46
$24.90โฌ21.24
-22.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.50โฌ11.52
$16.08โฌ13.71
-16.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.88โฌ17.81
$25.53โฌ21.78
-18.21%
Apples(1kg)
$3.02โฌ2.57
$2.83โฌ2.42
6.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.21โฌ1.88
$2.52โฌ2.15
-12.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.67โฌ2.28
$3.62โฌ3.09
-26.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.62โฌ3.09
$3.92โฌ3.34
-7.65%
Potato(1kg)
$2.17โฌ1.86
$2.81โฌ2.39
-22.78%
Onion(1kg)
$2.59โฌ2.21
$2.75โฌ2.34
-5.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52โฌ1.30
$1.47โฌ1.25
3.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66โฌ0.56
$0.91โฌ0.78
-27.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.65โฌ11.64
$13.81โฌ11.78
-1.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.62โฌ6.50
$8.80โฌ7.50
-13.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.62โฌ2.23
$3.21โฌ2.74
-18.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34โฌ2.85
$3.21โฌ2.74
4.05%
๐ Getting Around
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.92โฌ1.64
$2.41โฌ2.06
-20.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.81โฌ42.49
$84.8โฌ72.3
-41.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.58โฌ3.91
$5.70โฌ4.86
-19.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.67โฌ1.42
$1.82โฌ1.55
-8.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$36.33โฌ30.99
$58.1โฌ49.59
-37.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06โฌ1.76
$2.00โฌ1.70
3.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3Kโฌ31.8K
$37.3Kโฌ31.8K
-0.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.9Kโฌ32.3K
$36.8Kโฌ31.4K
2.86%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$197โฌ168
$289โฌ246
-31.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.32โฌ19.89
$22.27โฌ18.99
4.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.59โฌ27.80
$36.85โฌ31.43
-11.56%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.11โฌ31.65
$44.82โฌ38.23
-17.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.26โฌ15.57
$23.37โฌ19.93
-21.87%
Cinema Ticket
$14.17โฌ12.08
$13.66โฌ11.65
3.73%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$771โฌ658
$731โฌ623
5.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,603โฌ7,339
$11.8Kโฌ10.0K
-26.81%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104โฌ88.7
$113โฌ96.1
-7.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.30โฌ33.53
$51.3โฌ43.78
-23.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.3โฌ76.2
$123โฌ105
-27.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140โฌ120
$163โฌ139
-13.68%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,075โฌ917
$983โฌ839
9.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$898โฌ766
$709โฌ605
26.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,377โฌ1,175
$1,966โฌ1,677
-29.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,105โฌ942
$1,216โฌ1,038
-9.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,917โฌ5,900
$6,903โฌ5,888
0.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,070โฌ2,618
$4,115โฌ3,510
-25.40%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Rueil-Malmaison
Lyon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,358โฌ2,865
$3,148โฌ2,685
6.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.63
3.76
-3.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rueil-Malmaison: April 20, 2026
Last update for Lyon: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $1,075 in Rueil-Malmaison versus $983 in Lyon. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 7% higher in Rueil-Malmaison. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Rueil-Malmaison versus $76 in Lyon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $363 vs $433 โ making Rueil-Malmaison 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
Rueil-Malmaison vs Lyon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Rueil-Malmaison vs Lyon?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,228 per month in Rueil-Malmaison and $3,232 in Lyon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rueil-Malmaison or Lyon?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rueil-Malmaison, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Rueil-Malmaison or Lyon?
Groceries cost about 19% more in Lyon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do childcare costs compare in Rueil-Malmaison and Lyon?
Kindergarten costs $771 per month in Rueil-Malmaison and $731 in Lyon. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Rueil-Malmaison or Lyon?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Rueil-Malmaison, where all-in costs run around $2,152, than in Lyon at $2,155. In Rueil-Malmaison it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lyon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rueil-Malmaison or Lyon?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rueil-Malmaison costs $2,152 versus $2,155 in Lyon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Rueil-Malmaison compared to Lyon?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Rueil-Malmaison or Lyon?
If budget matters most, go with Rueil-Malmaison. 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.
Rueil-Malmaison vs other spots: cost of living compared