Cost of living in Lyon — is your salary enough?
Lyon rents average €900/month, significantly more affordable than Paris for comparable professional salaries. Lyon offers one of France's best income-to-cost ratios, with mid-income earners typically meeting savings benchmarks.
Rent in Lyon
Other monthly costs
How different incomes stack up
At typical Lyon costs (€900 rent)
See your personal verdict for Lyon
Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from INSEE Budget de Famille 2022. Figures in EUR.
Frequently asked questions — Living in Lyon
How much does it cost to live in Lyon?+
Core monthly costs in Lyon run about €1,900 — roughly €900 for rent and €1,000 for other living expenses (food, transport, utilities, basics). Lyon rents average €900/month, significantly more affordable than Paris for comparable professional salaries.
What is the median rent in Lyon?+
The median rent in Lyon is around €900 per month. Lyon is classified as a high cost cost-of-living city in France.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Lyon?+
Using the 70%-rule (core costs ≤ 70% of gross), you need roughly €32,571 per year before tax to live comfortably in Lyon. That leaves room to hit the 14% savings benchmark for France.
Is Lyon expensive compared to the rest of France?+
Lyon sits in the high cost tier within France. Lyon offers one of France's best income-to-cost ratios, with mid-income earners typically meeting savings benchmarks.
How much of your income should rent take in Lyon?+
The standard rule is no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At €900/month in Lyon, that means a gross income of at least €36,000 per year to stay under the 30% threshold.
Can you still save money living in Lyon?+
Yes — the France benchmark for mid-income earners is 14% of gross income. In a high cost city like Lyon, hitting that rate is tighter but achievable with disciplined budgeting.
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