Cost of Living: Lyon vs Perth (2026)

France vs Australia — relocation comparison

TL;DRLyon is 47% cheaper on rent ($972/mo vs $1821/mo). Perth is safer — homicide rate 0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k. Both countries will let you complain about the government in public — and mean it.
75
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Lyon
France
Full profile
66
Livability Score
🇦🇺 Perth
Australia
Full profile
Lyon edges ahead 75 to 66. Perth isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
💰
Cost of Living
Lyon
$849/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Perth
0.8 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Perth
8.7/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
26°C vs 29°C summers
🗣️
English
Perth
higher proficiency score
Lyon
Metric
Perth
$972/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1821/mo
$823/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$428/mo
$4,220
🧳
Cost to land
$11,432
1.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.8 / 100k
59 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
26°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
1°C
❄️
Winter low
9°C
146 Mbps
Internet speed
8.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.7 / 10
High (60/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (95/100)
$63k
💼
GDP per capita
$72k
2.0%
📈
Inflation
3.2%
75 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
66 / 100
93/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
90/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

478
PISA
country avg
497
1
Intl schools
1
Yes (French)
Public school
Extensive pediatric network; PMI clinics free for children under 6
Pediatric care
2–6 weeks
Specialist wait
$661/mo
Childcare
full-day
$2347/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
life-sciencesbiotechfinancemanufacturing
Industries
active
Startup ecosystem
93/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Easy
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Your partner can also work
Spouse works

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 47% cheaper in Lyon ($972/mo vs $1821/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Perth (29°C vs 26°C).
  • Perth is safer by homicide rate (0.8 vs 1.6 per 100k).
  • Perth scores higher on democracy (8.7 vs 8.1 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Perth (95/100 vs 60/100 English proficiency).

Lyon vs Perth — Common Questions

Is Lyon cheaper than Perth?

Lyon is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $972/month in Lyon vs $1821/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Lyon or Perth?

Perth is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Lyon has a rate of 1.56 per 100,000 and Perth has 0.83 per 100,000.

Should I move to Lyon or Perth?

Lyon edges ahead 75 to 66. Perth isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Lyon or Perth?

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

Which has better weather, Lyon or Perth?

Perth is warmer in summer (29°C vs 26°C). Lyon has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

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

English is easier to get by in Perth (EF EPI score: 95/100) than in Lyon (60/100). In Perth, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Lyon, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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