Side-by-side city decision # Lyon vs Taichung. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link LyonFrance3/6 VS TaichungTaiwan2/6 $1,870Lyon monthly budget $925Taichung monthly budget 280 MbpsLyon internet 210 MbpsTaichung internet Decision summary Lyon Lyon leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Taichung Speed Fastest internet Lyon Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Taichung 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 3/6 Budget$1,870 Internet280 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Taichung](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/taiwan/taichung.md) Taiwan 2/6 Budget$925 Internet210 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 MetricLyonTaichung Total estimated budget $1,870 $925 1-bed center rent $1,120 $430 Coworking desk $310 $165 Local meal $17.5 $3.8 Cappuccino $3.9 $3.4 Gym membership $45 $28 Transport budget $80 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricLyonTaichung Internet speed 280 Mbps 210 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricLyonTaichung Safety index 66/100 84/100 Air quality 68/100 62/100 Walkability 9/10 7/10 Female safety 7/10 9/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricLyonTaichung Healthcare quality Excellent Excellent English proficiency Good Average Climate type Temperate continental with Mediterranean influences Humid subtropical Best time to visit May - Sep Oct - Apr 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 [Taichung](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/taiwan/taichung.md) Taiwan → ### Strengths * Affordable rents and excellent value for a major Taiwanese city * Fast, reliable fiber internet and widespread 5G * Exceptional healthcare and very low violent-crime risk * Outstanding night markets, cafés, and local food culture * Milder winters and less rain than Taipei * Convenient access to mountains, coast, and high-speed rail ### Trade-offs * Summer heat, humidity, and typhoon disruptions can be intense * Air quality can worsen during dry-season pollution episodes * Scooter-heavy traffic makes some streets noisy and less pedestrian-friendly * English is limited outside international businesses and central areas * Long-term visa options are restrictive for many remote workers * Cash is still useful at traditional markets and small eateries ### Common visa routes * Visa-exempt entry for eligible passports, commonly 14 to 90 days depending on nationality * Taiwan Employment Gold Card for eligible skilled professionals, valid for 1 to 3 years * Visitor visa for eligible travelers, subject to purpose and extension rules 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.