Moving to Lyon? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Lyon is France’s third-largest city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 2,000 years of history. Upon visiting, you can see Renaissance and medieval architecture mixed in with contemporary styles, giving a truly varied atmosphere.

If you are considering moving to Lyon, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in Little Paris.

Quick Lyon Facts:

Population: 522,228 (2020 estimate) or 1.74 million, including the surrounding suburbs.
Official Language: French (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including English, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese and Polish.
GDP Per Capita: $47,400 USD (2021 estimate)
Lumière Brothers: Lyon is where cinema began. The Lumière Brothers produced the first moving picture in 1895.
Currency: Euro (EUR). As of 2024, £1 = €1.20, $1 USD = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.66, $1 AUD = €0.61

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Lyon

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest urban areas in the world, and shipping it to lovely Lyon:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$3,850 - $3,950	$6,900 - $7,100
Berlin	$2,550 - $2,650	$4,800 - $5,000
Chicago	$3,450 - $3,550	$6,300 - $6,500
Chongqing	$3,900 - $4,000	$7,000 - $7,200
Delhi	$3,600 - $3,700	$6,600 - $6,800
Dubai	$3,050 - $3,150	$5,700 - $5,900
Houston	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Los Angeles	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Madrid	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,850 - $5,050
New York City	$3,350 - $3,450	$6,200 - $6,400
Paris	$2,500 - $2,600	$4,700 - $4,900
Phoenix	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Rome	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,850 - $5,050
Shanghai	$3,900 - $4,000	$7,000 - $7,200
Sydney	$4,050 - $4,150	$7,200 - $7,400
Toronto	$3,450 - $3,550	$6,300 - $6,500
Vancouver	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Vienna	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,800 - $5,000

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (October 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from sites such as Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Lyon Housing Costs

Houses in Lyon are very affordable when compared with other major cities around the globe. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Lyon:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €750+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €560+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,550+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,050+

Lyon Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €5,500+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €4,180+

Lyon Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Lyon compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 64.5% more expensive
New York is 75.6% more expensive
Los Angeles is 66.8% more expensive
Toronto is 50.1% more expensive
Vancouver is 53.5% more expensive
Sydney is 56.8% more expensive
Melbourne is 39% more expensive
Dubai is 49.1% more expensive
Paris is 44.7% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: There is a shortage of housing in Lyon, even though it has a great variety of accommodations for sharing; from historic houses, which have been split into apartments, to modern houses and apartments. With a house/apartment share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well. Have a look at Erasmusu, RoomLaLa, Nestpick and Gabinohome to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Lyon is a beautiful city to live in. Like all major French cities, it’s split into different arrondissements or areas; Lyon has nine. The most expensive areas are the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th arrondissements. The 2nd, which is the old city, is also expensive but full of character and many young families choose to live there as there is very little traffic and a good selection of kindergartens. The 3rd district is the new, modern town centre with a selection of apartments. The 6th arrondissement has exclusive shops and high-end, luxury housing. The 7th and 8th districts have a more modern feel and house most of the tertiary institutions in the city. For details on family-friendly areas, see section 12 below.

3. Lyon Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Lyon is one of the gastronomic capitals of the world, with over 1000 restaurants in the city. It is the birthplace of many of the world’s most famous chefs and has more than its fair share of Michelin-starred restaurants. It also sits in one of the best wine regions in the world. Obviously, all this amazing food cannot be prepared without the backup of equally outstanding ingredients.

Inexpensive Restaurant: €15.00 – €18.00
Takeout Coffee: €2.85 – €3.00
Bottle of Coke: €2.60 – €3.00
1L of Milk: €0.90 – €1.00
Loaf of Bread: €1.90 – €2.00
12 Eggs: €3.40 – €3.50
1kg Chicken: €15.50- €16.00
1kg Beef: €19.00 – €20.00
1kg Apples: €2.80 – €4.00
1kg White Rice: €1.80 – €3.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 32.2% more expensive and groceries are 25% more expensive than Lyon.
Los Angeles restaurants are 25% more expensive and groceries are 2.5% cheaper than Lyon.
London restaurants are 16.5% more expensive and groceries are 31.8% cheaper than Lyon.
Paris restaurants are 6.4% more expensive and groceries are 2% more expensive than Lyon.
Toronto restaurants are 9.6% cheaper and groceries are 9.6% cheaper than Lyon.
Vancouver restaurants are 7.2% more expensive and groceries are 5.2% cheaper than Lyon.
Sydney restaurants are 10.9% cheaper and groceries are 4.1% more expensive than Lyon.
Melbourne restaurants are 9.3% cheaper and groceries are 5.3% more expensive than Lyon.
Dubai restaurants are 4.8% cheaper and groceries are 53.1% cheaper than Lyon.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Lyon is so proud of its culinary heritage that there are walking tours which take you around Old Lyon and Halles Bocuse, introducing you to the delights of food in the city. There are many delightful markets to visit including Les Halles de Lyon, Marche Alimentaire de la Croix-Rousse and Marche Alimentaire Saint Antoine. Monoprix, Carrefour and Supermarche Asie are reasonably priced supermarkets where you will be able to get all your basics. Lyon is full of independently owned speciality food shops to suit all pockets.
Find Cheap Eats: You can’t help but find excellent food at reasonable prices in Lyon Have a look at the following sites to see which restaurants tantalise your taste buds – Trip Adivsor, Yelp and SLO Hostel.

4. Lyon Alcohol Costs

Lyon is a vibrant city with a multitude of bars and clubs. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €6.50 – €7.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €5.00 – €5.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €2.30 – €2.50
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €2.10 – €2.50
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €5.50 – €10.00

How To Drink For Less in Lyon:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Lyon has 120,000 students in its city each year, so there are plenty of places where you can find a drink at lower than normal prices. Have a look at the following sites to find where your favourite tipple is on special – Yelp, Like a Local, Apero de Jeudi and Le Bonbon.
Scour the areas around the university and other tertiary institutions to find the best alcohol deals.

5. Lyon Transportation Fares

Lyon has an excellent transport system of buses, trams, metro and two funicular railways run by TCL. This site allows you to plan your journey with online timetables and lets you buy tickets online.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – €1.95
Day ticket – €5.60
48-hour ticket for bus, tram and metro – €11.00
Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and metro – €66.40

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

72-hour ticket – €15.00
Buy a Soiree ticket and enjoy 2 hours of consecutive travel after 9 a.m. and all evening after 7 p.m.
Buy a bike. Lyon is a great city to cycle around.
Walk. Depending on where you live and work, walking is certainly an option.

6. Cost of Internet in Lyon

Internet in France is reasonably priced but note that broadband is not available everywhere in the country. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Orange: €23.99 a month (Fiber broadband up to 500mb)
SFR: €19.99 a month (Fiber broadband up to 500mb)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

January is Lyon’s coldest month, where the average temperature is around 3°C. It does occasionally snow in the city. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 22°C. April is the wettest month with an average rainfall of 60mm.

Rain is always a possibility, so it’s wise to carry an umbrella or a fold-up waterproof jacket.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: €78 – €100
Summer Dress: €32 – €60
Running Shoes (Trainers): €90
Business Shoes: €120 – €129
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): €25
Deodorant: €5
Shampoo: €5
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2
Gym Membership: €35 – €50 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: €12.95

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Lyon

Everyone in France drives on the right. Lyon can suffer from serious traffic delays during the summer holiday period, apart from that, driving in the city is no problem.

If you’re moving to Lyon from within France, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new Lyon one.

If you live in the EU and have a driving licence from an EU country, then you can drive on that licence. If you are from a non-EU country then you will need to get a French licence after being in the country for a year.

If you are taking a car with you to France, you can drive it for 6 months without registering it in France and paying French vehicle registration tax. After the 6 months period, you have 30 days to register it.

Have a look at this article for further information on driving licences and vehicle purchases in France.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Lyon:

Volkswagen Golf: €30,340+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): €1.93
Registration Fee (if any): Carte Grise – the cost depends on the size of the vehicle and its CO2 emissions.

Source: Expatistan, Licences

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Lyon:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld and Freecar.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.

9. Taxes in Lyon

No matter where you live in France, you will pay the same rate of tax. Sales Tax, or VAT (Value Added Tax) is 20% in France and is included in the price that is advertised.

France has two taxes which need to be paid on the property. If you own a property you will need to pay Taxe D’Habitation and Taxe Fonciere. If you rent out your property, then your tenant will be liable for the taxe d’habitation. The amount varies depending on the size of the property and the area it’s in.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in France, you must pay registration fees. The cost varies but will be a maximum of 4.98% of the purchase price, plus a notaire’s fee of 1.1% of the purchase price.

10. Flight Costs from Lyon

If you do make the move to Lyon, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: €276
Los Angeles: €381
London: €45
Paris: €50
Toronto: €405
Vancouver: €1,590
Dubai: €204
Sydney: €790
Melbourne: €760
Cape Town: €400
Hong Kong: €480

Other Tips on Moving to Lyon:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Lyon but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Lyon Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Lyon.

Meetups: Lyon has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join Lyon Cycling Meetup, Lyon Java User Group, Lyon Coffee Club and many more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always something going on in Lyon. Find out what events are on from Trip Advisor.

12. Moving to Lyon with a Family

Lyon has a lot to offer families. History, culture, architecture, excellent food, parks and a choice of good schools. Here’s some extra food for thought.

New Parents (or parents to be): Expatica gives you lots of information on antenatal, postnatal and parenting classes, plus clinics and hospitals throughout France.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Croix-Rousse is popular with families who have young children. It’s a fascinating area in the middle of the city which used to be home to the silk workshops, through which Lyon became wealthy. It’s an area which has very little traffic, an excellent daily market and a few international kindergartens. Ste Foy les Lyon is another favourite with families, especially as it houses the international school. A beautiful and quiet suburb on the Soane River, just 5 minutes from the centre of Lyon. The 6th arrondissement is where the embassies are located and has excellent schools. Many expats live here even though it’s the most expensive area to live in.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Family Travel Scoop, Trip Advisor, My Kids Time and Trip Hobo all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Lyon for Work

Moving to Lyon for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Lyon has the lowest unemployment rate in France. It has thriving banking, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors as well as being one of the top cities for gaming software development. It is known for its vibrant start-up sector.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Lyon, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Expat.com and Jobs in Lyon. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Lyon from Australia

Lyon’s charm has attracted a fair number of Aussies. If you are thinking of joining them, here’s more food for thought:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Lyon with the population of a city in Australia, you’d be looking at a city a little larger than Newcastle. If you look at the whole metro area, then you’d be looking at Brisbane.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Lyon.

15. Moving to Lyon from Canada

There’s a large group of Canadians living in Lyon. Here are a few extra points to consider:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Lyon with the population of a city in Canada, you’d be looking at Kitchener. If you look at the whole metro area, then you’d be looking at Vancouver.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Canadians in Lyon.

16. Moving to Lyon from the United States

There’s a small group of Americans living in Lyon. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: Lyon’s population is roughly the same as Sacramento, although the whole metro area has around the same population as Houston.
Expat Groups: Meeting Americans who are already living and working in Lyon is an excellent way to make friends and learn how to integrate quickly into your new life. InterNations and American Club Lyon will enable you to meet other expats from the States and other countries.

17. Moving to Lyon from the United Kingdom

There’s a large British contingent living, studying or working in Lyon. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Lyon with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at Bradford. The population of the whole of the Lyon conurbation is around twice that of Birmingham.
Expat Groups: Meeting Brits who are already living and working in Lyon is a good way to learn what Lyon is all about. Have a look at the following sites to find people from home – InterNations, British in France and Expat.com.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Paris you can start by comparing moving quotes here.