Townleap

Cost of Living: Kosice vs Lyon (2026)

Slovakia vs France — relocation comparison

75
Livability Score
🇸🇰 Kosice
Slovakia
Full profile
75
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Lyon
France
Full profile
Kosice
Lyon
$965/mo
Rent
$972/mo
75/100
Livability
75/100
79/100
Safety
72/100
Healthcare
77/100
PR path
5 yr
85 Mbps
Internet
146 Mbps
Freelance setup

Wise ✓

Micro-entrepreneur
TL;DRLyon has milder winters (1°C vs -4°C lows). English is much more widely spoken in Kosice. Both cities will charge you about the same to exist.
Kosice and Lyon are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
Kosice
Metric
Lyon
$965/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$972/mo
$637/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$823/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$4,220
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.6 / 100k
32 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
59 / 100
26°C
☀️
Summer high
26°C
-4°C
❄️
Winter low
1°C
85 Mbps
Internet speed
146 Mbps
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
11.4 μg/m³
7.2 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.0 / 10
58/100
🗣️
Street English
38/100
$48k
💼
GDP per capita
$63k
2.8% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.0% · Boringly steady
75 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
75 / 100
Grid reliability
93/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
90/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years
🔒
Safety
Kosice
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Lyon
8.0/10 EIU index
🗣️
English
Kosice
higher proficiency score

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
stable
Inflation trend
improving
Industries
life-sciencesbiotechfinancemanufacturing
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
93/100
Time to PR
5 yrs
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Easy
Spouse works
Partner can work immediately
Retiree visa
1,767/mo

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 1% cheaper in Kosice ($965/mo vs $972/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Lyon (26°C vs 26°C).
  • Lyon scores higher on democracy (8.0 vs 7.2 / 10 EIU).
  • Street-level English is easier in Kosice (58/100 vs 38/100).

Kosice vs Lyon — Common Questions

Is Kosice cheaper than Lyon?

Kosice is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $965/month in Kosice vs $972/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Kosice or Lyon?

Kosice is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Kosice has a rate of 1.12 per 100,000 and Lyon has 1.56 per 100,000.

Should I move to Kosice or Lyon?

Kosice and Lyon are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Kosice or Lyon?

Kosice: no specific remote work visa. Lyon: France Talent Passport (complex process, Up to 4 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Can I live in Kosice or Lyon without speaking the local language?

Kosice is easier for street-level English (58/100) than Lyon (38/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

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