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City Comparison

London is 22% more expensive

The Verdict

Living in London is 22% more expensive than Lyon.
If you move from London to Lyon, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in London, you would need to earn about £31,200 in Lyon.

London Wins
0

of 6 categories

Tied
0

categories

Lyon Wins
6

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
100
London
vs
78
Lyon
Lyon is 22 pts cheaper
Rent
100
London
vs
65
Lyon
Lyon is 35 pts cheaper
Groceries
100
London
vs
88
Lyon
Lyon is 12 pts cheaper
Restaurants
100
London
vs
82
Lyon
Lyon is 18 pts cheaper
Transport
100
London
vs
82
Lyon
Lyon is 18 pts cheaper
Utilities
100
London
vs
90
Lyon
Lyon is 10 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

LondonUnited Kingdom
London is one of the world's most expensive cities, offering unparalleled career opportunities and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Why people love London:

Global financial hubWorld-class transportDiverse cultureHigh salaries
Population
8,982,000
Avg. Salary
£3,800/mo
LyonFrance
Lyon is France's gastronomic capital with lower costs than Paris.

Why people love Lyon:

Food capitalMuch cheaper than ParisRich historyCentral location
Population
516,092
Avg. Salary
£2,236/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on London baseline prices

ExpenseLondonLyonSavings
1-bed apartment (city centre)£2,000£1,300£-700
Monthly groceries£350£308£-42
Dining out (10 meals)£250£205£-45
Public transport pass£160£131£-29
Utilities (electric, heating, water)£180£162£-18
Total Monthly£2,940£2,106£-834

* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose London if you...
  • Prioritize safety (score: 82/100)
  • Want higher earning potential (£3,800/mo avg)
Choose Lyon if you...
  • Want lower overall living costs (22% cheaper)
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)

Quality of Life & Safety

Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

London
78

Quality of Life Score

Lyon
77

Quality of Life Score

London
82

Safety Score

Lyon
80

Safety Score

Salary Equivalence

How much you'd need in Lyon to match a London salary

Salary in LondonEquivalent in LyonDifference
£30,000£23,400£6,600 less
£40,000£31,200£8,800 less
£50,000£39,000£11,000 less
£60,000£46,800£13,200 less
£80,000£62,400£17,600 less
£100,000£78,000£22,000 less

London vs Lyon: Summary

The overall cost of living differs by 22%. Lyon is the more affordable option.

Rent: London has a rent index of 100, while Lyon has 65.

Average Salaries: London: £3,800/month vs Lyon: £2,236/month (both in GBP).

Out of 6 categories, London wins 0, while Lyon wins 6.

Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.