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Villeurbanne, France

Data updated Oct 9, 2026

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📊 Scores

73
FIRE
72
Retiree
76
Digital Nomad

Best fit: Digital Nomad (score: 74)

Villeurbanne sits just east of Lyon, at an elevation of 173 meters above sea level in the Europe/Paris timezone. Its subtropical climate brings mild winters and warm summers. The city of 164,000 people has a medium-sized expat community, and English is common in tourist areas. The most popular expat neighborhood is Gratte-Ciel, known for its striking early 20th-century architecture and convenient access to central Lyon.

Living costs in Villeurbanne are reasonable. A single adult's monthly expenses excluding rent come to $1,050, while a family of four spends about $3,500 per month excluding rent. Rent for a one-bedroom in the city center averages $1,009 per month; outside the center it drops to $654. A three-bedroom in the center runs $1,159, and outside the center it is $878. Utilities run $230 per month, internet is $35, and a mobile phone plan costs $18. A monthly public transport pass is $81. An inexpensive restaurant meal is $17, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $67, and a cappuccino costs $4. The average monthly net salary locally is $4,261. The cost of living index is 69 out of 100 (New York City = 100). Budget-tier total living costs for a single adult including rent are $975 per month, mid-range is $1,405, and comfortable is $1,957.

Safety is strong: the safety index is 82 out of 100, and the crime index is 18 (lower is safer). Healthcare quality is rated excellent. Air quality is moderate, with an index of 58 (lower is better). Average internet speed is 90 Mbps.

For those looking to stay long-term, France offers the Long-Stay Visitor Visa, which requires a minimum monthly income of $1,500, and the Digital Nomad Visa, which requires a minimum monthly income of $5,000. The nearest airport is LYN, just 9 kilometers away. Villeurbanne suits digital nomads (score 76/100), expats overall (score 74/100), FIRE seekers (score 73/100), and retirees (score 72/100).

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🏚️ Cost of Living

💰 Budgets and Costs

$1,498/mo, one person, rent included
Selected: mid-range lifestyle

Villeurbanne on a mid-range budget comes to about $1,498 a month for one adult, with $654 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $233 on groceries, $168 on dining out, $78.00 on entertainment and lifestyle, $284 on utilities and connectivity and $81.00 on transport.

Rent

$654/mo

1BR outside the centre

Groceries

$233/mo

Staples basket scaled to a full month

Dining out

$168/mo

10 inexpensive meals

Entertainment & lifestyle

$78.00/mo

2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos

Utilities & connectivity

$284/mo

utilities, mobile, internet

Transport

$81.00/mo

Monthly pass

Budgets (excl. rent)

Single person$844/mo

Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.

Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.

A 1BR in the center runs about $1009.28/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.

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🛡️ Safety & Crime

82
Safety Index

(Higher is safer)

18
Crime Index

(Lower is safer)

Villeurbanne is a safe, well-policed suburb of Lyon with a strong sense of community and low violent crime. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur occasionally in crowded areas and public transport, particularly around Part-Dieu station, but are not widespread concerns. The city benefits from good street lighting, active neighborhood watch, and regular police presence. Expats should exercise standard urban precautions—avoid displaying valuables, stay aware on transit—but can generally move about freely day and night. This is a genuinely secure choice for remote workers and retirees seeking a quieter French lifestyle.

🏥 Healthcare

Excellent
Public Hospitals
Yes
Private Clinics
Yes
English-Speaking Doctors
Available

See how Villeurbanne's healthcare compares with Arrest

🌤️ Climate

Climate Zones
Subtropical
Summer Temp
28°C
Winter Temp
1°C
Humidity
70%
Air Quality Index
58
Annual Rainfall
945 mm

Best Months

MayJunJulAug

Climate Notes

Humid subtropical climate; data reflects the Lyon metropolitan area.

💻 Digital Nomad

Avg Internet Speed
90 Mbps
Internet (monthly)
$35/mo
Coworking Availability
Abundant
Coworking Spaces Nearby
67
Digital Nomad Score
76/100

Community Notes

Villeurbanne provides a lively urban environment with proximity to Lyon's rich offerings.

Coworking Spaces

NameNotes
Now CoworkingLocated in the Charpennes neighborhood, Now Coworking offers a modern and bright workspace with a focus on community. It's well-suited for expats due to its central location, bilingual staff, and networking events.
Regus Lyon - VilleurbanneA reliable option in the Grand Clement area, Regus provides a professional environment with various workspace options. Its global brand recognition and standardized services make it a comfortable choice for international remote workers.
La Cordée VilleurbanneSituated near the République metro stop, La Cordée offers a collaborative and eco-friendly atmosphere. This independent space is known for its strong community and focus on social impact, appealing to nomads seeking meaningful connections.
Work&Co VilleurbanneLocated in the Carré de Soie district, Work&Co offers a modern and stylish coworking space with flexible options. It's a good choice for those seeking a professional environment with easy access to transportation and amenities.

Names, locations and hours can change. Check each space's website before you visit. Places from © OpenStreetMap contributors and Foursquare Open Source Places (Apache 2.0).

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🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Common in Tourist Areas
Expat Community
Medium
Top Neighborhoods
Gratte-Ciel
Banks Nearby
342
ATMs Nearby
183

Expat Life Notes

Modern city extension of Lyon. Safe and family friendly.

Pros

  • ✓ Near Lyon
  • ✓ Modern urban layout

Cons

  • ✗ Expensive housing
  • ✗ Noisy center

🏘️ Neighborhoods in Villeurbanne

Areas of Villeurbanne that expats often consider.

Conditions can change from one block to the next, and these descriptions are general guides, not safety assessments. Before choosing where to stay or live, check current travel advisories, talk to people who live there, and visit in person if you can.

Charpennes

Bustling, central, well-connected hub

Charpennes is a major transportation hub with excellent metro and tram access, making it easy to get around Villeurbanne and Lyon. It's a lively area with shops, restaurants, and a diverse population, including students and young professionals. While convenient, it can be noisy and crowded, especially around the metro station.

Gratte-Ciel

Art Deco, vibrant, family-friendly

Known for its iconic Art Deco skyscrapers, Gratte-Ciel is a popular and well-maintained area with a strong sense of community. It offers a mix of shops, services, and green spaces, making it attractive to families and retirees. The area is generally safe and walkable, but rents can be higher than in other parts of Villeurbanne.

Cusset

Residential, quiet, affordable option

Cusset is a more residential area with a mix of housing options, including apartments and smaller houses. It's generally quieter than Charpennes or Gratte-Ciel, making it suitable for those seeking a more relaxed environment. While less touristy, it may require some French language skills to fully integrate.

Maisons Neuves

Quiet, residential, green spaces

Maisons Neuves is a primarily residential area with a more suburban feel, featuring parks and green spaces. It's a good option for those seeking a quieter lifestyle away from the city center. Public transport is available, but having a car can be beneficial for accessing amenities outside the immediate area.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Villeurbanne

Click any question to expand the answer.

Villeurbanne has a population of approximately 163,684 people.
A single person can expect to spend around $2,523 per month in Villeurbanne, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1009/month.
The nearest airport to Villeurbanne is LYN, approximately 9.4km away.
Villeurbanne is considered relatively safe, with a safety index of 82.0. As with any city abroad, expats should research specific neighborhoods before committing to a location.
Villeurbanne has an average internet speed of 90 Mbps. It is considered a well-established digital nomad destination.
Basic conversational French is essential for daily tasks like banking, healthcare, and dealing with landlords. While the universities create some English-speaking environments, most local services, shops, and administration operate in French only. The city won awards for efficient administration, but paperwork is still in French.
Villeurbanne rent runs 20-30% cheaper than central Lyon, with one-bedrooms around $1,050 versus $1,300+ in Lyon's Presqu'île. Groceries and dining costs are similar, but you save significantly on housing while keeping excellent metro/tram access to Lyon's job market and cultural scene.
Villeurbanne experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and sunny, with temperatures often reaching the 80s (Fahrenheit). Winters are cool and damp, with occasional snowfall and temperatures hovering around freezing. Spring and autumn offer pleasant, mild weather, ideal for exploring the city.
While French is the primary language, you can find English-speaking doctors and dentists, especially in areas near the university or international schools. Online directories like Doctolib allow you to filter by language spoken. It's always a good idea to confirm their English proficiency when booking an appointment.
For long-term stays, Americans typically apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) as a visitor or retiree. This requires demonstrating sufficient financial resources to support yourself without working in France. After a year, you can apply for a renewable carte de séjour (residency permit).
Villeurbanne is generally a safe city, but like any urban area, petty crime can occur, especially in crowded areas or near public transportation. The area around Laurent Bonnevay metro station can be a bit rough at night. Overall, exercising normal precautions should be sufficient.
Villeurbanne has excellent internet infrastructure, with widespread access to high-speed fiber optic connections. You can expect download speeds of 50-100 Mbps or even higher in most areas, making it ideal for remote work and video conferencing.
Yes, Villeurbanne has several coworking spaces catering to freelancers and remote workers. Popular options include La Cordée and spaces within larger business centers. These offer a variety of amenities, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities.
Villeurbanne has an excellent public transportation system, including the metro, tram, and bus network (TCL). It's easy to get around the city and to Lyon using these options. Consider purchasing a monthly TCL pass for unlimited travel.
While not as large as in Lyon, Villeurbanne has a growing expat community, particularly among students and young professionals. Online groups and social media are good ways to connect with other expats and find information about local events and activities.
Groceries in Villeurbanne can be slightly cheaper than in many US cities, especially if you shop at local markets. Dining out can range from affordable to expensive, depending on the restaurant. Expect to pay around €15-€25 for a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
As a US citizen, you're still required to file US taxes even when living abroad. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) can help you exclude a certain amount of your foreign-earned income from US taxes. You may also need to report foreign bank accounts (FBAR) if they exceed a certain threshold.
Living on $2,500 per month is possible but requires careful budgeting. You'll likely need to live in a smaller apartment outside the city center and be mindful of your spending on dining out and entertainment. Healthcare costs can be lower than in the US, which helps.
For budget-friendly options, consider areas like Cusset or Buers. For a more central location with a lively atmosphere, Charpennes or Gratte-Ciel are popular but pricier. Croix-Luizet offers a quieter, more residential environment.
While learning French is highly recommended for a richer experience, you can manage day-to-day life in Villeurbanne with some English, especially in tourist areas and among younger people. However, expect to encounter situations where French is necessary, so consider taking language classes.

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