Living in Paris taught me to keep an eye on my budget, so when I came to Lyon, I wasn’t expecting some dramatic drop in prices. And honestly, most things cost about the same. The main semi-relief is rent, which doesn’t hit as hard as Paris. Once you get a feel for the neighborhoods, you can live comfortably as long you understand where the money goes. This guide breaks down the real cost of living in Lyon based on actual numbers and the way daily life really feels here.
1. Accommodation Costs
Rent is the one part of Lyon that’s a budget eater. Like an evil cookie monster munching through your monthly expenses (har har). Many people say rent is the only thing in Lyon that feels “tendu” (tight).
The center gets expensive quickly, especially if you’re looking for something renovated or close to the Presqu’île.
Once you look at the 3rd, 7th, or Villeurbanne, the prices start to feel more reasonable. It’s the usual pattern: the closer you are to the heart of the city, the more you pay.
Actual rent prices (long‑term stays)
Realistic monthly ranges for a 1‑bedroom apartment:
- Central arrondissements (1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th): €900–€1,200
- Vieux Lyon (5th): similar to the Presqu’île, with more variation
- 3rd & 7th arrondissements: €750–€950
- Villeurbanne, Monplaisir, outskirts of the 8th: €650–€800
Data is based on local rent observatories and long‑term rental platforms.
Note: If you want something modern or newly renovated, expect the higher end of these ranges.
Related: A Complete Guide to Lyon Neighborhods
Short‑term stays (hotels & Airbnb)
Short‑term stays vary a lot by neighborhood, and this was one of the first things I learned. Prices shift quickly depending on whether you’re in the Presqu’île or a quieter residential area. Here are the ranges:
- Hotel (mid‑range): €110–€160 per night
- Hotel (boutique): €170–€250 per night
- Airbnb studio: €75–€120 per night
- Airbnb one‑bedroom: €100–€160 per night
Cheapest areas: Guillotière, Monplaisir, Villeurbanne
Most expensive : Presqu’île, Vieux Lyon, Confluence
2. Utilities and Internet
Utilities in Lyon are fairly straightforward. Basic utilities for an 85 m² flat around 120–160 € per month, depending on the building and heating type.
For a smaller 1‑bedroom, a realistic range is:
• Utilities: 80–120 € / month
• Internet: 25–35 € / month for a standard fibre plan
Nothing here feels dramatically different from other major French cities
3. Food & Groceries
My first grocery run in Lyon felt almost identical to shopping in Paris. Same Monoprix shelves, same prices, same little moment where you debate whether you really need the nicer cheese (haha).
Compared to Paris, nothing felt dramatically cheaper, but nothing felt inflated either. What helps is that the prices are predictable, and if you shop at markets, things soften a bit.
My Shopping: I used to shop at the Monoprix at Cordeliers because there weren’t any other supermarkets in the Presqu’île at the time. Now there’s an Aldi right next to it, which is a breath of fresh air to have a low cost supermarket option in the city center.
Groceries (typical prices)
- Baguette: €1.20
- Dozen eggs: €3.50
- 1L milk: €1.10
- Fresh produce: €2–€4 per kilo
Eating out
- Coffee at a café: €2.50–€3.50
- Lunch menu (plat du jour): €15–€20
- Dinner at a casual restaurant: €20–€30 per person
- Bouchon meal: €28–€45 per person
Data based on French supermarket trackers and consumer comparison tools.
4. Transport Costs (and why you don’t need a car)
One thing that makes Lyon easy to live in is how simple it is to move around without a car. Transport is one of the easiest parts of living in Lyon. I love the smaller size of the city and how convenient the metro and trams are. You can get almost anywhere without needing a car, which takes a lot of pressure off your budget.
TCL transport prices
- Single TCL ticket: about 2.10 €, valid for 1 hour with unlimited transfers
- Day pass: around 6.50 €
- Monthly pass: roughly 65–70 € / month
- Bike share (Vélo’v): a few euros per day or a cheap monthly subscription
My only complaint is crowds at peak hours (which tbh is to be expected in any city)
Car situation
Lyon has introduced major restrictions on cars in its city center (especially Presqu’île), so driving inside the city is more hassle than it’s worth. A car only really makes sense if you’re living outside the center or doing regular trips into the countryside.
If you want the full picture of how the network works, read: How to use the TCL in Lyon
5. Daily Life and Going Out
Daily life in Lyon feels good. Nothing is shockingly cheap, but nothing feels inflated either. You can go out, see a film, or grab a drink without feeling like you’re making a financial decision every time. Everything stays within a range that feels predictable, which makes the week feel easier to manage.
Drinks in the center can be pricey, but cafés and bakeries stay reasonable.
Eating out is “correct” but can add up if you go out often.
- Cinema ticket: €10–€13
- Museum entry: €8–€12
- Gym membership: €30–€50 per month
6. Monthly Costs (if you were staying longer)
If you’re planning a longer stay, this is where the numbers matter. Rent is the biggest variable, but everything else stays fairly predictable month to month.
- Rent (1‑bedroom, central): €900–€1,200
- Rent (1‑bedroom, outside center): €700–€900
- Utilities: €90–€130
- Phone plan: €10–€20
- Groceries: €200–€300 per month
- Public transport pass: €69.40 per month
Healthcare and mutuelle
Once you’re in the French system, basic care is partly reimbursed, and most residents add a mutuelle on top.
- Mutuelle: €25–€60 per month
Based on national cost‑of‑living datasets and expat budget calculators.
7. How Lyon Compares to Paris
This is the comparison people always about and want to know:
- Overall cost of living (excluding rent): Lyon is around 8–10 percent cheaper than Paris
- Including rent: Lyon comes out roughly 20–30 percent cheaper overall
- Rent specifically: average rents in Lyon are 40–50 percent lower than in Paris for similar apartments
Based on Cost‑of‑living comparison tools
The biggest difference is rent.
Daily life costs feel similar, especially groceries and cafés, but housing is where the gap shows.
8. Lyon: Cost of Living for Students
Student housing in Lyon can be a challenge. Many students complain about the September rush. There can be high competition for studios, and anything under €600 disappears fast. Many say landlords prefer working professionals, so students feel pushed into overpriced micro‑studios or colocations far from campus. Another thing is CAF delays. Alot of students rely on it, but payments can take months to start, which means the first semester financially tight.
For everyday living, Lyon doesn’t feel too hard on a student budget. Groceries are fine, transport is affordable, and cafés are still accessible. But nights out can be a real money drainer, especially around Hôtel de Ville and Presqu’île.
For students: Lyon is great once you’re settled, but getting settled is the hard part. Once you’re in you’re in.
Monthly Snapshop for Students
Here’s what a typical month looks like for a student living in Lyon:
- CROUS / student residence: €250–€450
- Room in a shared flat (colocation): €400–€650
- Private studio / individual flat: €550–€850
- Utilities + internet: €40–€80 (often included in student housing)
- Groceries + occasional eating out: €150–€250
- TCL student transport pass: €25–€32
- Mutuelle (student health top‑up): €10–€30
- Going out / extras: €80–€150
An average monthly total of €555–€1,392 is to be expected, depending on your housing type, whether utilities are included, and how often you go out.
9. Monthly Snapshot
Here’s what a typical month looks like for one person living in Lyon:
- Rent (1‑bedroom, decent central area): €900–€1,100
- Utilities + internet: €110–€150
- Groceries + some eating out: €250–€350
- Public transport pass: €69.40
- Mutuelle: €25–€60
- Going out / extras: €150–€250
A realistic monthly total lands around €1,515–€1,979, depending on your rent, mutuelle, and how often you go out.
Overall
Lyon isn’t a cheap city, but it’s not extreme either. I would say rent is the main thing that stretches the budget, while everything else stays fairly stable once you get to know the neighborhoods. The quality of life you get in return is genuinely good, and a lot of people say Lyon feels financially “moins stressant” than Paris, even if the prices aren’t dramatically lower.
