Lyon vs Saint-Tropez
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Saint-Tropez is approximately less expensive than Lyon based on cost of living including rent. This makes Saint-Tropez a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Saint-Tropez has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 89.95, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Saint-Tropez is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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Lyon
France
Saint-Tropez
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Lyon
Lyon is the rare French city where a single adult can live comfortably on a mid-range budget of $1,497/mo while pulling down an average net salary of $3,058/mo, and the 68/100 cost of living index against NYC confirms you are not being fleeced. Rent outside the center drops to $673/mo for a one-bedroom, which is the move if you want to bank real savings without sacrificing the Croix-Rousse or Presqu'île lifestyle. The digital nomad score of 85/100 and 300 Mbps internet make it a serious remote-work contender, though the $5,000/mo income floor on the France Digital Nomad Visa will price out plenty of freelancers. Come for the healthcare and safety, stay because your money actually goes somewhere.
About France
Retirees with steady income and no interest in remote-work loopholes fit best, since France offers both a retirement visa and a digital nomad option. A retirement income of USD 1,500/mo clears the bar easily for most Social Security checks. Progressive tax up to 45% and a complex citizenship path mean this is a long-term lease on French life, not an ownership deal.
Saint-Tropez ranks meaningfully higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Saint-Tropez is approximately less expensive than Lyon based on cost of living including rent. This makes Saint-Tropez a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Saint-Tropez has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 89.95, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Saint-Tropez is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Lyon
Lyon is the rare French city where a single adult can live comfortably on a mid-range budget of $1,497/mo while pulling down an average net salary of $3,058/mo, and the 68/100 cost of living index against NYC confirms you are not being fleeced. Rent outside the center drops to $673/mo for a one-bedroom, which is the move if you want to bank real savings without sacrificing the Croix-Rousse or Presqu'île lifestyle. The digital nomad score of 85/100 and 300 Mbps internet make it a serious remote-work contender, though the $5,000/mo income floor on the France Digital Nomad Visa will price out plenty of freelancers. Come for the healthcare and safety, stay because your money actually goes somewhere.
About France
Retirees with steady income and no interest in remote-work loopholes fit best, since France offers both a retirement visa and a digital nomad option. A retirement income of USD 1,500/mo clears the bar easily for most Social Security checks. Progressive tax up to 45% and a complex citizenship path mean this is a long-term lease on French life, not an ownership deal.
$1,413/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is a tiny, expensive playground for the rich, not a practical place for most expats. With a population of just 4,000 and a 3-bedroom city center rent of $1,040, it's shockingly affordable for a celebrity hotspot, but the high cost of living and limited opportunities make it a tough sell. The expat score of 84/100 and retiree score of 86/100 are decent, but the digital nomad score of 76/100 reflects the lack of a serious nomad infrastructure. Unless you're retired with a Long-Stay Visitor Visa and a taste for the Mediterranean, skip this overpriced postcard.
About France
Retirees with steady income and no interest in remote-work loopholes fit best, since France offers both a retirement visa and a digital nomad option. A retirement income of USD 1,500/mo clears the bar easily for most Social Security checks. Progressive tax up to 45% and a complex citizenship path mean this is a long-term lease on French life, not an ownership deal.
N/A/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Lyon | Saint-Tropez |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $892.33 | N/A |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $672.51 | N/A |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1802.77 | $1039.54 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1285.21 | N/A |
| Safety Index | 40.47 | 89.95 |
| Internet Speed | 300Mbps | 80Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Lyon | Saint-Tropez |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,578/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $905/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $673/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $235/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $168/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $122/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $297/mo | N/A |
| Transport | $83.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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