Budget · 6 min read
The Real Cost of Student Living in Lyon
Lyon is more affordable than Paris but it’s still France’s second-largest student city. Here’s a realistic monthly budget — and the aids that can cut it meaningfully. All figures are 2026 estimates; check the latest rates before you rely on them.
Rent — your biggest line
A room in a flatshare or coliving typically runs €500–700; a small studio is often €600–800 before bills; CROUS halls are cheaper (roughly €250–450) but scarce and reserved by social criteria. The trap with a studio is the “before bills” part — utilities, internet and insurance add up. Coliving bundles all of that into one price (€650–850 all-in), which makes budgeting predictable.
Everything else, monthly
- Transport (TCL): a reduced student pass is roughly €30–40/month for unlimited metro, tram and bus.
- Food: €200–300 if you cook; university restaurants (CROUS “RU”) offer very cheap meals.
- Home insurance (assurance habitation, mandatory): around €10/month.
- Phone plan: €10–20/month — France has cheap, generous data plans.
- Health: student social security is free to enrol in; a top-up (mutuelle) is optional, roughly €10–30/month.
A sample monthly budget
- Room (all-inclusive coliving)€700
- Transport (TCL student)€35
- Food€250
- Phone€15
- Misc / leisure€100
- Total (before aids)≈ €1,100
With an all-inclusive room, insurance, utilities and internet are already inside the €700 — there are no separate bills to add.
The aids that lower it
Housing aid (APL) is open to international students too
The CAF housing benefit (APL) can knock a meaningful amount off your rent each month. International students are eligible — apply at caf.fr once you’ve moved in.
- Visale — a free state guarantor, so you don’t pay for a private one. See renting without a French guarantor.
- CROUS university restaurants — full meals for a couple of euros.
- Student transport rates and a long list of cultural and museum discounts with a student card.
One predictable monthly price
Rent, utilities, internet and insurance bundled — no surprise bills. Visale accepted.