Side-by-side city decision # Lyon vs Astana. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link LyonFrance5 VS AstanaKazakhstan1 $1,515Lyon monthly budget $1,050Astana monthly budget 250 MbpsLyon internet 60 MbpsAstana internet Decision summary Lyon Lyon leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Astana Speed Fastest internet Lyon Vibe Best nomad vibe Lyon Safety Highest safety Lyon Air Cleanest air Lyon Walk Most walkable Lyon Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France 5/6 Budget$1,515 Internet250 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan 1/6 Budget$1,050 Internet60 Mbps Vibe7/10 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 Total estimated budget $1,515 $1,050 1-bed center rent $850 $500 Coworking desk $250 $150 Local meal $18 $8 Cappuccino $3.5 $3.5 Gym membership $40 $40 Transport budget $65 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 250 Mbps 60 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 75/100 72/100 Air quality 65/100 55/100 Walkability 9/10 5/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Excellent Average English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Semi-continental Continental Best time to visit Apr - Oct 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. [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France → ### Strengths * Excellent healthcare system * Rich gastronomy and food scene * Great public transport network * Walkable city center * Vibrant cultural and nightlife * Proximity to the Alps and Mediterranean ### Trade-offs * High taxes and social charges * Cold winters with little sunlight * Bureaucracy can be slow * Limited English in daily interactions * Expensive housing in central areas * Crowded during peak tourist season ### Common visa routes * Long-stay visa (VLS-TS) * French Tech Visa * Freelancer visa (Auto-entrepreneur) [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan → ### Strengths * Very low cost of living compared to Western cities * Modern and clean infrastructure * Safe city with low crime rates * Fast-growing expat and digital nomad scene * Excellent public Wi-Fi in many public spaces * Central Asia travel hub with easy connections ### Trade-offs * Extreme winters with temperatures below -30°C * Limited English proficiency outside hotels/coworkings * Air pollution spikes during winter inversions * Tap water not safe to drink without filtration * LGBTQ+ rights not widely accepted socially * Limited vegetarian/vegan options in traditional restaurants ### Common visa routes * Visa-free for 30-90 days for many nationalities * e-Visa available for eligible countries * Long-term tourist visa for 3 months 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.