Lyon vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lyon is roughly 7% more affordable than Barcelona (index 35 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lyon
More affordable overall
7% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 35 vs 38

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

35Cost Index38
3,043Median Income /mo2,300
75Safety Index78
30Income Tax %37
92Internet (Mbps)165
280Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

LyonCategoryBarcelona
$1,049/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
25% cheaper →
$1,400/month
$1.42/liter
Meal for One
2% ← cheaper
$1.39/liter
$16.39/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
21% ← cheaper
$13/meal
$82.46/month
Monthly Transit Pass
30% ← cheaper
$58/month
$175/month
Utilities (Monthly)
31% ← cheaper
$120/month
$40/visit
Doctor Visit
33% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Lyon

Internet92 Mbps
Coworking$280/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability78/100

Barcelona

Internet165 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lyon cheaper than Barcelona?

Lyon is cheaper than Barcelona. Lyon has a cost of living index of 35/100 compared to 38/100 for Barcelona (New York = 100), making it roughly 7% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lyon than Barcelona?

Lyon is approximately 7% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (35 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,779/month in Lyon.

What is the rent comparison between Lyon and Barcelona?

In Lyon, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,049/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,400/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Lyon or Barcelona?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Lyon offers 92 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$280/month. Barcelona offers 165 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Lyon has a cost advantage of 7%.

What is the average income in Lyon vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Lyon is approximately $3,043 USD, compared to $2,300 USD in Barcelona.

Compare Lyon with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Lyon wins or loses.

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