Lyon: cheap for Europe and safe enough, real winters
More of Lyon
Day viewTL;DRLyon in one sentence
Mountains everywhere you look — Lyon delivers on the scenery. On the ground: learn some local phrases, rent runs ~$972/mo, PR in ~5 years.
Mountains everywhere you look — Lyon delivers on the scenery. On the ground: learn some local phrases, rent runs ~$972/mo, PR in ~5 years.
Considering relocating to Lyon? Expect rent from $972/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.
🗣️From English-Friendly Cities — You won't need a phrasebook on day one.← back🇫🇷 Lyon, France
Mid SWE take-home in Lyon
$3,957/mo
Median mid Software Engineer · after 28% tax
$2,854
expenses
+$1,103
you keep
Just you against the world. And the rent.
Expenses = rent + food + transport + utilities · Rent alone: $972/mo
How the Livability Score is calculatedShow score breakdown ▸
Total: 89.8/120 raw pts → normalized to 75/100 · Full methodology
🌆 9:01 PM in Lyon right now
Data: Numbeo · UNODC · EIU · EF EPI · Ookla · How is this calculated?
Is Lyon a Good Place to Live?
Is lyon a good place to live? Short answer: yes. Lyon checks the boxes that matter for people who plan to actually stay — not just pass through. Here's what the numbers say about settling in Lyon, France.
- ›Flawed democracy: Democracy index 8.0/10 — a flawed democracy, which is the polite way of saying 'it's complicated'.
- ›Cost of living: A 1-bedroom in the center runs ~$972/mo — moderate — not cheap, not painful.
- ›Safety: Homicide rate 1.6 per 100k (Numbeo safety index: 41/100) — low crime — your biggest threat is overpriced coffee.
- ›French + English: English proficiency: moderate — English gets you through tourist zones — beyond that, learn the basics or get good at charades.
- ›Climate: Summers peak around 26°C, winters dip to 1°C.
Life in Lyon
✦ Sections reordered for English-Friendly Cities
What It Actually Costs
Beer $8.3 · Cheap meal $18
What It Actually Costs
Beer $8.3 · Cheap meal $18
What It Actually Costs
One day in Lyon
$46.73/day
Beer, coffee, two meals, a metro ride.
Monthly
Numbeo
What Paychecks Look Like
Junior $51k · Mid $66k · Senior $83k
What Paychecks Look Like
Junior $51k · Mid $66k · Senior $83k
What Paychecks Look Like
Annual gross in USD — with what France actually lets you keep
Levels.fyi · as of May 2026
Junior ~ $51k · Mid ~ $66k · Senior ~ $83k — see breakdown
Software Engineer by level
Net = employee rate, your settings
Punch in your actual salary for a personalized breakdown →Cost to Land
1-bed centre: $972/mo
Cost to Land
1-bed centre: $972/mo
Cost to Land
The price of showing up (before real life starts)
$4,462one-time
Then it's ~$2,854/mo to actually live here.
Can you afford it?
Enter your salary in the sidebar to see how far it stretches here.
Numbeo
Local tenancy law
Market standard
IKEA estimate
French immigration
Based on local rental laws & Numbeo prices
How Hard to Find a Place?
3/5 · 2–4 weeks, less competitive than Paris
How Hard to Find a Place?
3/5 · 2–4 weeks, less competitive than Paris
How Hard Is It to Actually Find a Place?
The part Numbeo doesn't tell you
Budget a few weeks. Bureaucracy exists, but it won't break you.
What stands between you and a lease
- •Guarantor (garant) required — same system as Paris
- •Full dossier: payslips, tax notice, ID
- •Visale or private guarantor service for foreigners
- •1–2 months' deposit
cautioneo.com, relocation-in-paris.fr · 2026-Q1
Tax on Savings
Capital gains 34% · Dividends 34% · Wealth tax applies
Tax on Savings
Capital gains 34% · Dividends 34% · Wealth tax applies
Tax on Savings
What France takes from your investments, not your paycheck
Source: PwC / Tax Foundation · 2025 rates · tax-resident individuals
Freelance Setup in France
Micro-entrepreneur · No fixed minimum; liberal BNC micro-entrepreneurs pay 25.6% of turnover in 2026
Freelance Setup in France
Micro-entrepreneur · No fixed minimum; liberal BNC micro-entrepreneurs pay 25.6% of turnover in 2026
Freelance Setup
What it takes to get legal and stay legal in Lyon
Best-fit path
Micro-entrepreneur for low-overhead service work
Admin friction
For many solo freelancers the micro regime is light enough to run without a full-time accountant. The trade-off is that contributions are tied to turnover, not profit.
Freelancing in Lyon
Freelancing in Lyon
Living Here as a Freelancer
What it takes to invoice clients from Lyon without an employer holding your hand
How the government sees you
Getting paid
Cost of doing business
Covered by social contributions — full Sécurité sociale access
Source: URSSAF · impots.gouv.fr · rates as of 2025–2026
Is Lyon a Good Place to Live in 2026?
4 pros · 2 cons
Is Lyon a Good Place to Live in 2026?
4 pros · 2 cons
Is Lyon a Good Place to Live in 2026?
Derived from cost, safety, weather, democracy, and internet data
For
- +City-centre rent in Lyon: $972/mo. Surprisingly reasonable.
- +Lyon's mountains: ski winter, hike summer. Actually usable.
- +Free press, independent courts in Lyon. France: 90/100.
- +Inflation at 2.0% in France. What you budget for Lyon stays accurate.
Against
- −Homicide rate in Lyon: 1.6/100k. Above average but manageable.
- −Ordering food in Lyon: English works. Tax office: French only.
Is Lyon Safe?
Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100k
Is Lyon Safe?
Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100k
Is Lyon Safe?
Generally safe, but not carefree. Read the details below before picking a neighborhood.
Residents report moderate concern about everyday crime. Watch your phone and bag in crowded areas.
Heads up: The homicide rate shown is the France national average, not Lyon-specific data. UNODC only publishes country-level figures. City-to-city comparisons within France won't reflect local differences.
Countries where we only have country-level data: AE, AR, AU, BR, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, DK, EE, EG, GB, GE, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KZ, MA, MX, NL, PA, PT, RS, RU, SE, SG, TH, UZ, VN, ZA
Homicide: UNODC
data resolution: country-average
Safety perception: Numbeo
Peace index: IEP Global Peace Index
world avg ~5.8 per 100k
Neighborhood breakdown
We don't have an official neighborhood-level crime feed wired for Lyon yet. The figures above are still citywide or regional.
Settling the family in Lyon
PISA 478 · Daycare $661/mo · Partner can work immediately
Settling the family in Lyon
PISA 478 · Daycare $661/mo · Partner can work immediately
Settling the family in Lyon
Schools, daycare, healthcare, and spouse work rights on one page
Schools
PISA 478Public schools run in French and children on residence permits can enroll: Yes.
If you need English from day one, plan around private international schools rather than assuming public EAL support.
International options: 1 school · low $3k/yr · mid $10k/yr · high $18k/yr
Open admission; limited English-medium options
Kindergarten / Daycare
$661/moPrivate full-day preschool: $661/mo.
Public-availability rules and waitlist length are not tracked in the current city dataset yet, so treat this as the private-price floor, not the full childcare story.
Family Healthcare
Mandatory public insuranceSécurité sociale covers residents after 3 months; among the best globally
EU citizens: EHIC for temporary stays, then join CPAM after 3 months of stable residence. Non-EU: private insurance needed until CPAM enrollment (~€130/mo). Emergency care always provided, billed later.
Dependents on temporary status: public coverage exists.
Pediatric/specialist reality: 2–6 weeks.
Extensive pediatric network; PMI clinics free for children under 6
Spouse / Dependent Rules
Partner can work immediatelyPartner can work immediately
Spouse receives "Talent — Family" permit with unrestricted work access for the duration of the main permit.
Child benefits, family allowances, and parental-leave entitlements are not part of the structured city dataset yet, so check the country-level residency rules before assuming those offsets are in your budget.
Unmarried & Same-Sex Partners
France recognizes PACS (pacte civil de solidarité) for family reunification. Unmarried partners need proof of 1+ year stable cohabitation. Same-sex marriage legal since 2013.
Local term: PACS (pacte civil de solidarité) / concubinage
- PACS certificate (strongly recommended — concubinage alone is very weak for immigration)
- Proof of 1+ year vie commune: joint lease, utility bills, RIB (bank statement) in both names
- Attestation de PACS from the tribunal d'instance or notary
- Proof of French partner's financial stability
Sources: isd_tuition, Numbeo, OECD Health at a Glance 2025, National health ministry websites, OECD Health at a Glance 2025, https://www.welcometofrance.com/en/fiche/fact-sheet-accompanying-family
Crossing the Street
4.7 road deaths/100k · ↓ improving
Crossing the Street
4.7 road deaths/100k · ↓ improving
Crossing the Street
Road traffic deaths — country-level data; city-specific rates not available
Road safety is decent — roughly average for a developed country. You're 3× more likely to die crossing the street than being murdered here.
Who dies on the road
Data year: 2016
Will You Survive Getting Sick?
Sécurité sociale covers residents after 3 months; among the best globally
Will You Survive Getting Sick?
Sécurité sociale covers residents after 3 months; among the best globally
Will You Survive Getting Sick?
Healthcare quality, access, and what settlers actually face
Score = 50% outcomes + 30% access + 20% perception. Missing components are re-weighted.
EU citizens: EHIC for temporary stays, then join CPAM after 3 months of stable residence. Non-EU: private insurance needed until CPAM enrollment (~€130/mo). Emergency care always provided, billed later.
Sécurité sociale covers residents after 3 months; among the best globally
Kids: Extensive pediatric network; PMI clinics free for children under 6
World-class healthcare. The kind of place where you stop Googling symptoms because you trust the doctors more than the internet.
Sources: OECD Health at a Glance 2025, Numbeo, National health ministry websites, OECD Health at a Glance 2025
For the Kids
1 international school · PISA 478
For the Kids
1 international school · PISA 478
For the Kids
Schools, childcare costs, and whether your children can actually enroll
1 international school · $3k–$18k/yr · Basically none. Hope your kids like immersion.
Schools are middling. Your kids won't flunk out, but expat parents lean on international schools for a reason. Check the list below.
Sources: isd_tuition, oecd_pisa, wikipedia_intl_schools, Numbeo
What You're Breathing
PM2.5 11.4 μg/m³ · 2.3× WHO limit
What You're Breathing
PM2.5 11.4 μg/m³ · 2.3× WHO limit
What You're Breathing
Invisible particles in every breath
Sources: WHO Air Quality Database V6.1, OpenAQ
Weather in Lyon
Summer 26°C · 15.7h daylight (Jun) · Winter 1°C · 8.7h daylight (Dec)
Weather in Lyon
Summer 26°C · 15.7h daylight (Jun) · Winter 1°C · 8.7h daylight (Dec)
Weather in Lyon
Spring
17°C
47% sunny
Summer
26°C
64% sunny
15.7h daylight
Fall
17°C
47% sunny
Winter
7°C
41% sunny
8.7h daylight
Daylight contrast
Winter 8.7h (Dec) vs summer 15.7h (Jun)
+7h
Best: Summer. Avoid: Winter if you dislike extremes.
Source: WeatherSpark
Will You Have a Thursday Night?
Will You Have a Thursday Night?
Will You Have a Thursday Night?
Nightlife & social scene
as of Apr 2026
Scene tags
Source: Numbeo Quality of Life Index
Who Has Offices in Lyon?
Sanofi Pasteur, Renault Trucks, BioMérieux + 2 more
Who Has Offices in Lyon?
Sanofi Pasteur, Renault Trucks, BioMérieux + 2 more
Who Has Offices in Lyon?
Notable employers with offices in the city. Not exhaustive.
How Fast Is the Wi-Fi, Really?
146↓ / 20↑ Mbps
How Fast Is the Wi-Fi, Really?
146↓ / 20↑ Mbps
How Fast Is the Wi-Fi, Really?
Median speeds across all connection types · Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Download is the city median across all connection types — DSL, cable, fiber, and mobile. Upload is the country-wide average. If you're on a modern fiber or 5G plan, expect 300–1,000 Mbps down.
Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Can Your Mom Visit?
Can Your Mom Visit?
Can You Ditch the Car?
Can You Ditch the Car?
France, the Country
Can You Actually Live Here?
PR in ~5 yrs · Citizenship in 5 yrs · Partner can work immediately
Can You Actually Live Here?
PR in ~5 yrs · Citizenship in 5 yrs · Partner can work immediately
Can You Actually Live Here?
Visa difficulty, time to residency, and what it takes to stay
For a US citizen passport: Moderate
2–4 months processing · min. $3,630/mo income · employer sponsorship needed
Best path
Passeport Talent (Qualified Employee)
Min. $3,630/mo income · 2–4 months processing
The employer must be established in France — no self-sponsorship for employees. Finding a French employer willing to hire non-EU nationals when local candidates exist is the main barrier.
What you need to earn
Passeport Talent (Salaried)
EU Blue Card
Requires B2 French, a civic examination (80% pass), and an integration interview.
Spouse & dependents
Spouse receives "Talent — Family" permit with unrestricted work access for the duration of the main permit.
Updated May 2026 · Source
What You Can Actually Do Here
Tech jobs high · Sponsorship mixed · Active startup scene · life-sciences, biotech, finance
What You Can Actually Do Here
Tech jobs high · Sponsorship mixed · Active startup scene · life-sciences, biotech, finance
What You Can Actually Do Here
Industries, employers, and how startup-friendly this place is
Employment
Tech job density High (65/100)ⓘ
Open tech roles ~1.1k(est.)
Non-EU sponsorship Mixed (61/100)ⓘ
Workplace language French dominant
Startup Scene
Ease of doing business: #37
Sources: StartupBlink · scraper-owned tech clusters · country visa sources
Who's Running the Show
Democracy index: 8.0/10
Who's Running the Show
Democracy index: 8.0/10
Who's Running the Show
Politics, freedom, and press independence
Source: EIU Democracy Index
Peace: IEP Global Peace Index
Also: Freedom House · RSF Press Freedom Index
How is this calculated?What Will Break 6 Months In
English works for coffee orders. For healthcare appointments and government offices, you'll want at least survival French.
The system works. It just works on its own schedule. Government offices close early, queues are real, and patience is mandatory.
LGBTQ+ Rights & Reproductive Access
Rainbow 62/100 · Marriage legal
LGBTQ+ Rights & Reproductive Access
Rainbow 62/100 · Marriage legal
The Fine Print on Being Yourself
LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, and who the law actually covers
Moderate protections
Reproductive Health Access
On request up to 14 weeks. Enshrined as a constitutional right in March 2024.
Source: ILGA-Europe / Equaldex
Reproductive: Center for Reproductive Rights
How Rainbow Index works: ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Europe index (0–100) weights recent legal changes heavily — countries that passed rights early but haven't added new protections since score lower than countries still actively legislating. This is why Amsterdam (59) scores below Madrid (76): the Netherlands did everything first but Rainbow Europe rewards momentum, not just outcomes.
Jewish Safety
Antisemitic attitudes, hate crimes, and community presence
Jewish Safety
Antisemitic attitudes, hate crimes, and community presence
Will You Feel Safe Wearing a Magen David Here?
Antisemitic attitudes, hate crime incidents, and Jewish community presence
Below average
ADL Global 100 (2024) — % agreeing with 6+ of 11 antisemitic stereotypes
Includes threats, verbal harassment, vandalism, propaganda, and physical assaults reported across France — not just violent attacks. Source: SPCJ / Ministry of Interior.
How to read this: These three metrics are shown separately because they measure different things. ADL measures attitudes (what people believe), OSCE counts reported incidents (what gets filed), and synagogues show community presence (not safety). A country can have high attitudes and low incidents (Saudi Arabia) or low attitudes and high incidents (UK). No single number captures "Jewish safety" — read all three together.
English in Lyon
Moderate
English in Lyon
Moderate
English in Lyon
Primary language is French.
English works in some professional settings, but not by default.
Street-level English is inconsistent. Expect translation apps and some local-language homework.
Office English follows EF EPI. Street English is stricter because landlords, clinics, and bureaucracy usually lag behind workplace English.
Language distance: Slavic: manageable · Romance: easy · Germanic: manageable
Source: EF English Proficiency Index
Will the Lights Stay On?
Grid 93/100 · 26% renewable · Outages: rare
Will the Lights Stay On?
Grid 93/100 · 26% renewable · Outages: rare
Will the Lights Stay On?
Grid stability, energy mix, and outage risk
Sources: IEA, World Bank (SAIDI), national grid operators
Moving from the UK to Lyon
NHS swap, post-Brexit mortgage, pension & CGT for UK passport holders
Moving from the UK to Lyon
NHS swap, post-Brexit mortgage, pension & CGT for UK passport holders
NHS → Local healthcare
France's Assurance Maladie (Sécurité Sociale) reimburses ~70% of healthcare costs; a top-up mutuelle covers the rest (€30–€80/month). Quality is world-class — France regularly ranks #1 or #2 globally. Register via CPAM after 3 months of stable residence. Specialist access is faster than NHS. GHIC covers emergency tourist care only. S1 form gives UK pensioners full Assurance Maladie access. PUMA (universal healthcare) covers all legal residents after 3 months — no employment required.
Buying property post-Brexit
French banks are relatively generous to non-residents: 70–80% LTV is achievable for UK buyers with stable income. Post-Brexit, UK buyers are third-country nationals but France has no specific foreign-buyer restrictions. Droits de mutation (transfer tax) is 7–8% for existing properties, ~2–3% for new-builds. Notary fees are included in this. French mortgage rates are competitive (3–4% fixed for 20–25 years). Banks assess affordability strictly — max 35% debt-to-income ratio.
UK pension portability
France accepts QROPS transfers to qualifying French pension products (PER — Plan d'Épargne Retraite). The 25% OTC position is complex post-Brexit — take specialist advice. UK state pension is paid in France with full annual uprating (Withdrawal Agreement covers pre-2021 movers; post-2021 arrivals rely on the UK-France bilateral agreement). France's pension system provides benefits after 1 quarter of contributions. The UK-France totalization agreement combines NI and French contribution periods.
CGT on your UK home
The 5-year non-residence rule applies for UK property. France taxes residents on worldwide capital gains — property gains are taxed at a flat 19% + 17.2% social charges (total 36.2%), but with taper relief after 6 years of ownership (full exemption after 22 years for income tax, 30 years for social charges). Credit for UK CGT paid. French primary residence is fully exempt.
Double taxation treaty
The UK-France Double Taxation Convention (2009) covers income, pensions, and gains. UK government pensions: taxed only in the UK. Private pensions: taxed only in France once resident. Employment income: taxed where performed. French tax rates are progressive (0–45%) plus social charges. The convention has specific articles for directors' fees, students, and artists.
Getting EU mobility back
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, apply for EU Long-Term Resident status or a carte de résident (10-year card). French citizenship requires 5 years of residence, B1 French, and integration evidence. France allows dual nationality — you keep your British passport. French citizenship fully restores EU freedom of movement.
Brexit bottom line: You're now a third-country national in the EU. No more right-to-reside, no more EHIC (GHIC is emergencies only), no automatic pension uprating without the Withdrawal Agreement. Every country above requires a visa application, proof of income, and private health insurance to get started.
Moving Within the EU to Lyon
EHIC/S1 healthcare, tax residency triggers & expat communities for EU passport holders
Moving Within the EU to Lyon
EHIC/S1 healthcare, tax residency triggers & expat communities for EU passport holders
What your EU health card actually covers here — and when it stops working
EHIC — European Health Insurance Card
EHIC covers medically necessary care during temporary stays. After 3 months of stable residence, you're covered by PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie) — France's universal healthcare. Register with your local CPAM office. A top-up mutuelle (€30–€80/month) covers the ~30% co-pay that Assurance Maladie doesn't reimburse.
S1 Form — Porting Your Coverage
Pensioners from another EU country get full Assurance Maladie access via S1 — apply before moving. Posted workers use the A1 certificate. PUMA covers all legal residents after 3 months regardless of employment status — one of the EU's most generous systems.
Source: EU Regulation 883/2004 (coordination of social security), EU/EEA bilateral agreements
When France starts taxing you — and how your old country might not let go
You're tax-resident in France if your foyer (household) or principal residence is there, or if you carry out professional activity in France, or if France is the center of your economic interests. The 183-day test exists but France also looks at where your family lives and where you spend most of your time. French tax rates are progressive (0–45%) plus social charges (~9.7% on employment income).
⚠ Freelancer PE risk
French URSSAF is strict about micro-entrepreneur registration. If you freelance for clients while resident in France, you must register even if your clients are all abroad. France can also claim PE if you have a fixed base used for professional activity — a home office counts.
Source: France national tax authority, EU ATAD directive, OECD Model Tax Convention
Lyon — FAQ
10 questions answered
Lyon — FAQ
10 questions answered
Lyon — Things You'll Want to Know
How safe is Lyon, really?▾
Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (UNODC). World average is 5.8, so Lyon is very safe by global standards. Numbeo Crime Index sits at 59.3/100 (lower = safer) — that's what residents actually say about walking home at night, not what the tourism board says. Learn the neighborhoods before signing a lease — every city has blocks you'll love and blocks you won't.
What's the real cost of living in Lyon?▾
A 1-bed in the centre runs about $972/month (Numbeo). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $17.70, monthly transit pass: $87. All in — rent, food, getting around, keeping the lights on — budget $1372–$1772/month depending on whether you cook or eat out. That's the settler number, not the tourist number.
What's the weather actually like in Lyon?▾
Lyon: Summers reach around 26°C with about 15.7 hours of daylight in Jun, winters drop to around 1°C and 8.7 hours of daylight in Dec. Comfortable summers — the kind where you argue about whether to open the window or not.
Can you get by in Lyon without the local language?▾
Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI). But that one word hides two very different realities: office English 63/100 (can you work in English?) and street English 38/100 (can you argue with your landlord in English?). The office is usually easier. The landlord is the real test.
Is Lyon actually worth settling in long-term?▾
France scores 8.0/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Solid democracy. Not perfect, but the courts work and the press is free. You can build a life without worrying about the next election too much. Rent from $972/month.
What's the job market really like in Lyon?▾
Unemployment: 7.5%. Translation: tough. Most expats who work locally already had the job before they moved. If you're planning to job-hunt locally, research your industry before booking a one-way ticket. If you work remotely, this number matters less — but your visa type might not let you.
Who's actually hiring in Lyon?▾
Companies with real offices here (not just a registered address): Sanofi Pasteur, Renault Trucks, BioMérieux, SEB Group, Cegid. Check their career pages — a company on this list isn't a guarantee they're hiring right now, but it means the talent pipeline exists.
Is Lyon any good for expats?▾
Depends what kind of expat you are. Key facts: rent from $972/month; France Talent Passport (complex process); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The numbers above — livability score, safety, cost of living — tell you whether the city works on paper. Whether it works for you depends on what you're optimizing for. Take the quiz if you want a more honest answer than "it's great for expats."
How do you actually get a visa to live in France?▾
France has the France Talent Passport program. Duration: Up to 4 years. Requirements: For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. Income and project viability assessed. Complex enough that an immigration lawyer earns their fee. Don't DIY this one. Always verify with the official government portal — immigration rules change faster than this page updates.
How long until you get permanent residency in France?▾
Permanent residency typically takes 5 years of legal residence; citizenship eligibility after 5 years total. The usual prerequisites: proof of income, a clean criminal record, and sometimes enough local language to prove you're serious. Rules change — check with an immigration lawyer before building your five-year plan around a Reddit thread.
Can you actually move to France?
Check real visa paths based on your passport, profession, and savings. Not the tourist visa — the one that lets you stay.
Check visa options for France →Other cities in France
See all →▸Show full data table
🇫🇷 Lyon
$2,854/ mo
Rent: $972 · Rest: $1882
📺 That's 184 Netflix subs/mo
84/100
74th
5y
5y
🌞 26°C
❄️ 1°C
145↓ / 19↑ Mbps
Median · Ookla
France
Economics · World Bank / IMF
GDP per capita (PPP)2024
$62,557
GDP Growth2024
+1.2%
Inflation2024
2.0%
Boringly steadyUnemployment2025
7.5%
Gini Index2023
31.8
Population2023
519,127
Politics · EIU / Freedom House
Democracy Index
8.0→26th
Regime
Flawed democracy
Freedom House
90/100
Press Freedom
25th
Safety · UNODC / Numbeo
Homicide per 100K
1.6
Safety Index
40.7/100
Residency Path · service-public.fr
Visa Difficulty
Time to Permanent Residency
5 years
Path to Citizenship
5 years
Work Permit
moderate
Career
Industries
life-sciences, biotech, finance
Startup Scene
active
Connectivity · Ookla Speedtest
Median downloadLyon
145.6 Mbps
Avg uploadFrance
19.7 Mbps
Avg downloadFrance
175.1 Mbps
Median across all connection types (DSL, cable, fiber, mobile). Fiber and 5G plans in major cities typically deliver 300–1 000 Mbps.
Language · EF EPI
Languages
French (I)
English Proficiency
Moderate38th
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Data sources
Open-Meteo Air Qualityadl_global100osce_hatecrimeosm_overpass_synagoguesCareer MetricscomputedNumbeoUNODCgovernmentDiaspora DataWikidataWorld BankEF English Proficiency IndexcuratedTownleap (Curated)Ookla SpeedtestJob Market DataWikipedialanguage_communities_cacheILGA-Europe / EqualdexEIU Democracy IndexIEP Global Peace IndexCenter for Reproductive RightsEurostat Road SafetyOECD ITFWHO Road SafetyEurostat (SES)Levels.fyiISD (Tuition Data)OECD PISAWikipedia (Intl. Schools)Travel AdvisoryTownleap (Computed)Numbeo Quality of Lifeeurostat_arn2compiledPeopleForBikesderived_daylightWeatherSpark