Cost of Living in Lyon (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Lyon? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed flat, Presqu'île or Croix-RousseEUR 750–1,050 / month

One-bed flat, Villeurbanne, Guillotière or GerlandEUR 600–850 / month

Utilities and internet, one personEUR 110–170 / month

Groceries, one personEUR 250–340 / month

TCL metro, tram and bus passEUR 70 / month full fare, substantially less under 26

Good to know

Population

≈520,000 in the city; ≈1.4 million in the Métropole — France's second largest urban economy

Languages

French. English is common in the international organisations, biotech and tech sectors, much less so in administration

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time zone

CET (GMT+1); CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October

Power plug

Type C and E, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Semi-continental — cold winters, hot summers, and a distinct autumn and spring. More extreme than coastal France in both directions

Driving side

Right

Rent control

Encadrement des loyers applies in Lyon and Villeurbanne — landlords may not exceed the published reference rent plus a permitted margin

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Lyon checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.