Side-by-side city decision # Jacó vs Lyon. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link JacóCosta Rica2/6 VS LyonFrance4/6 $1,840Jacó monthly budget $1,870Lyon monthly budget 95 MbpsJacó internet 280 MbpsLyon internet Decision summary Lyon Lyon leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Jacó Speed Fastest internet Lyon Vibe Best nomad vibe Lyon Safety Highest safety Lyon Air Cleanest air Jacó Walk Most walkable Lyon Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Jacó](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/jaco.md) Costa Rica 2/6 Budget$1,840 Internet95 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France 4/6 Budget$1,870 Internet280 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricJacóLyon Total estimated budget $1,840 $1,870 1-bed center rent $1,050 $1,120 Coworking desk $180 $310 Local meal $9 $17.5 Cappuccino $3.8 $3.9 Gym membership $55 $45 Transport budget $110 $80 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricJacóLyon Internet speed 95 Mbps 280 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricJacóLyon Safety index 55/100 66/100 Air quality 82/100 68/100 Walkability 6/10 9/10 Female safety 6/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricJacóLyon Healthcare quality Average Excellent English proficiency Good Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Temperate continental with Mediterranean influences Best time to visit Dec - Apr May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Jacó](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/jaco.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * Pacific beaches and surfing are minutes from town * Strong dry-season weather from December through April * Good choice of furnished apartments and condos * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Active international surf and remote-worker community * Easy access to San José and Juan Santamaría Airport ### Trade-offs * Rents rise sharply during high season * Rainy-season humidity and downpours can be intense * Petty theft and nightlife-related crime require caution * Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are inconsistent * Reliable workspace options are fewer than in San José * Traffic and road noise affect central beach areas ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry: up to 180 days at immigration discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: renewable one-year residence * Rentista or pensionado temporary-residence pathways [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France → ### Strengths * Excellent public transport, cycling infrastructure, and walkable central districts * High-quality healthcare and safe drinking water * Strong food culture with markets, bouchons, and diverse international dining * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * More affordable and less tourist-saturated than Paris * Easy rail access to Paris, the Alps, Provence, and Switzerland ### Trade-offs * Long-term housing can be competitive and requires extensive paperwork * French bureaucracy and banking setup can be slow for newcomers * Winter can be gray, chilly, and affected by temperature inversions * English is less universal outside international workplaces and tourist areas * Summer heatwaves are increasingly common * France has no dedicated digital nomad visa ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free entry: up to 90 days in any 180-day period * French long-stay visitor visa for stays over 90 days, subject to financial and insurance requirements * Passeport Talent residence permit for eligible entrepreneurs, founders, and highly skilled workers Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.