Side-by-side city decision # Lyon vs Cartagena. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link LyonFrance3/6 VS CartagenaColombia1/6 $1,870Lyon monthly budget $1,435Cartagena monthly budget 280 MbpsLyon internet 150 MbpsCartagena internet Decision summary Lyon Lyon leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Cartagena Speed Fastest internet Lyon Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Lyon Air Cleanest air Tie 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 3/6 Budget$1,870 Internet280 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia 1/6 Budget$1,435 Internet150 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 MetricLyonCartagena Total estimated budget $1,870 $1,435 1-bed center rent $1,120 $850 Coworking desk $310 $180 Local meal $17.5 $6.5 Cappuccino $3.9 $2.4 Gym membership $45 $45 Transport budget $80 $65 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricLyonCartagena Internet speed 280 Mbps 150 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricLyonCartagena Safety index 66/100 48/100 Air quality 68/100 68/100 Walkability 9/10 7/10 Female safety 7/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricLyonCartagena Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Temperate continental with Mediterranean influences Tropical savanna Best time to visit May - Sep Dec - Mar 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 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 [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia → ### Strengths * Beautiful colonial architecture and Caribbean beaches * Strong restaurant, nightlife, and cultural scene * Affordable local food and ride-hailing * Reliable fiber internet in central neighborhoods * International airport close to the city center * Growing remote-worker and expat community ### Trade-offs * Persistent heat and high humidity * Petty theft and tourist scams require vigilance * Short-term rents rise sharply in high season * Traffic, noise, and street vendors can be intense * English is limited outside tourist-facing businesses * Rainy-season flooding can disrupt local travel ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, typically 90 days * Tourist stay extension for up to an additional 90 days * Colombia Digital Nomad Visa for eligible remote 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.