Moving to Lyon, France in 2026

Considering relocating to Lyon? Expect rent from $975/month, one of the safer cities in its region, French is the main language; English is manageable in urban areas. This page covers cost of living, safety, weather, residency options, and everything else settlers want to know before signing a lease.

🇫🇷 Lyon, France

Compare
2.3M peopleLivability: 76/100 · #11 of 6770% cheaper than NYC
How the Livability Score is calculated
Affordability
19.5/25 ptsNumbeo
Violent Crime
13.4/15 ptsUNODC
Perceived Safety
4.1/10 ptsNumbeo
Internet
10.9/15 ptsOokla
Democracy
12.1/15 ptsEIU
English
6/10 ptsEF EPI
Climate
9.5/10 ptsNumbeo
Stability
8/10 ptsWorld Bank

Total: 83.5 / 110 raw pts → normalized to 76/100

🌆

It's 6:03 PM in Lyon

Golden hour. Restaurants are filling up.

Affordability78/100
Safety70/100
Climate100/100
Connectivity73/100
Democracy81/100
English Ease60/100
Clear Days50%

Scores derived from: Numbeo (cost of living) · UNODC (crime) · Economist Intelligence Unit (democracy) · EF EPI (English) · Ookla/Speedtest (internet)

Weather in Lyon

Spring

17°C

47% sunny

Summer

26°C

64% sunny

Fall

17°C

47% sunny

Winter

7°C

41% sunny

Best: Summer. Avoid: Winter if you dislike extremes.

Cost of Living in LyonNumbeo

Beer (0.5L)

$7.68

Cappuccino

$3.63

Cheap meal

$16.45

Fast food combo

$12.06

Bus/metro ticket

$2.19

Gym/month

$42

Internet/month

$37

Is it actually a democracy?

Democracy index: 8.07 (#23 globally)· Full democracy

Freedom House: 90/100

Press freedom rank: #21 of 180

Sources: EIU Democracy Index · Freedom House · RSF Press Freedom Index

Is Lyon Safe?UNODC + Numbeo

70/100

Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (world average ~5.8)

Numbeo Safety Index: 40.7/100 (covers theft, property crime, perception)

Very safe. Crime exists in theory; you probably won't encounter it.

Residents report moderate concern about everyday crime. Watch your phone and bag in crowded areas.

Will the lights stay on?

Reliable
26% electricity from renewables
Rare outages

English in LyonEF EPI

Moderate

Primary language is French.

English works in business and tourist areas, but you'll want to pick up some local language for daily life.

For Russian/Ukrainian speakers: Indo-European — manageable

Who Has Offices in Lyon?

Sanofi PasteurRenault TrucksBioMérieuxSEB GroupCegid

Notable employers with offices in the city. Not exhaustive.

Is Lyon Worth Moving To?

For

  • +At $975/mo for city-centre rent, your money will last until the end of the month. Novel concept.
  • +Skiing on weekends. Hiking in summer. The mountains are actually usable, not just decorative.
  • +Prices are stable. Your budget won't quietly evaporate month by month.

Against

  • Violent crime is low on paper, but petty crime — pickpocketing, phone snatching — is a real annoyance. Stay alert in crowded areas.

Can you actually live here?

Visa difficulty, time to residency, and what it takes to stay.

EU citizenEasy
US citizenModerate
RussianComplex
UkrainianEasy
5 years to permanent residency
5 years to citizenship
Work permit: Moderate
Compare all countries by visa difficulty →

What you can actually do here

Industries, employers, and how startup-friendly this place is.

Employment

life sciencesbiotechfinancemanufacturing

Startup Scene

Ecosystem: Active
VC: Some

World Bank ease of doing business rank: #37

Corporate tax rate: 25%

Lyon — Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lyon safe?

Lyon has a homicide rate of 1.6 per 100,000 people (source: UNODC), making it very safe. The world average is around 5.8 per 100,000. The Numbeo Crime Index is 59.3/100 (lower is safer), which reflects residents' self-reported concerns about property crime, theft, and everyday safety. As with any city, awareness of local neighborhoods is recommended before settling.

What is the cost of living in Lyon?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Lyon city centre costs around $975/month (Numbeo data). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $16.45, monthly transit pass: $77. A single person can expect total monthly costs of roughly $1375–$1775 depending on lifestyle — covering rent, food, transport, and utilities.

What is the weather like in Lyon?

Lyon has Summers reach around 26°C, winters drop to around 1°C. Summers are warm and pleasant for most people.

Can you get by in Lyon without knowing the local language?

Lyon has Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI data). Basic interactions are possible in English in tourist and business areas, but learning some local language helps significantly.

Is Lyon a good place to settle long-term?

Lyon is in France, which scores 8.1/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Strong institutions and rule of law make it a stable choice for long-term settlement. Rent from $975/month.

What is the job market like in Lyon?

France has an unemployment rate of 7.5%, indicating a challenging job market; many expats rely on remote work or bring skills from abroad. For settlers planning to work locally, research your industry before committing. Remote workers and self-employed expats are less affected by local employment conditions.

Which companies have offices in Lyon?

Notable companies with offices in Lyon include Sanofi Pasteur, Renault Trucks, BioMérieux, SEB Group, Cegid. The city's job market spans tech, finance, and other sectors — check company career pages for current openings.

Is Lyon good for expats?

Lyon attracts expats looking for long-term relocation in France. Key facts: rent from $975/month; France Talent Passport (complex process); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The Livability Score, safety data, and cost of living figures above give a data-driven picture of what to expect when settling here.

How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in France?

France offers the France Talent Passport program. Duration: Up to 4 years. Requirements: For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. Income and project viability assessed. This is a more involved process — professional immigration advice is recommended. Check the official government portal for the most up-to-date application process.

🇫🇷 Lyon
Mountains

Expenses

$1,844 / mo

🍔 That's 324 Big Macs/mo

winter

❄️ 7°C / ❄️ 1°C

summer

🌞 26°C / 😊 15°C

Internet · Ookla Speedtest

145 Mbps

FR: 175 Mbps

France

Economics · World Bank / IMF

GDP per capita (PPP)2024

$62,557

GDP Growth2024

+1.2%

Inflation Rate2024

2.0%

Unemployment2025

7.5%

Gini Index2023

31.8 

Population2024

2,300,000

Politics · EIU Democracy Index

Democracy Index

8.0723rd

Regime

Full democracy

Safety · UNODC

Homicide per 100K

1.6

Language · EF EPI

Languages

French (I)

English Proficiency

Moderate43th

Data sources

Cost of living: Numbeo crowd-sourced data

Homicide rate: UNODC 2023

Crime perception index: Numbeo Crime Index

Democracy index: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Freedom House score: Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

Press freedom rank: RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025

GDP per capita: World Bank / IMF

English proficiency: EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI)

Internet speed: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

Grid reliability & renewables: IEA / national grid operators

Residency & visa data: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2705