- Cost of Living
- Switzerland
- United States
- Zurich
- Boston
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Zurich (Switzerland) and Boston (United States)
| Food | 63% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 63% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | CHF 27 ($28) | $14.53 | 90% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | CHF 13.19 ($13.68) | $7.04 | 94% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | CHF 11.78 ($12.21) | $3.81 | 221% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.65 ($1.72) | $2.35 | 27% |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 5.94 ($6.16) | $2.53 | 143% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.38 ($4.54) | $3.66 | 24% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9.49 ($9.84) | $5.96 | 65% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.80 ($3.94) | $4.02 | 2% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 3.78 ($3.92) | $3.95 | 1% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.79 ($1.86) | $2.56 | 27% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14.46 ($14.99) | $13.24 | 13% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | CHF 3.14 ($3.25) | $1.65 | 97% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.80 ($2.90) | $2.33 | 24% |
| Housing | 28% | ||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 28% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | CHF 3,035 ($3,147) | $2,359 | 33% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 152 ($157) | $137 | 15% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | CHF 45 ($47) | $52 | 10% |
| 40” flat screen TV | CHF 884 ($916) | $571 | 61% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | CHF 255 ($265) | $88 | 201% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 11.50 ($11.92) | $10.78 | 11% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 27 ($28) | $27 | 4% |
| Clothes | 76% | ||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 76% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | CHF 122 ($126) | $47 | 170% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | CHF 62 ($64) | $43 | 47% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | CHF 127 ($132) | $81 | 63% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | CHF 171 ($177) | $89 | 100% |
| Transportation | 42% | ||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 42% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 33,044 ($34,262) | $23,463 | 46% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.84 ($1.91) | $0.98 | 95% |
| monthly ticket public transport | CHF 89 ($93) | $70 | 33% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | CHF 38 ($40) | $26 | 55% |
| Personal Care | 69% | ||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 69% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | CHF 17.70 ($18.35) | $7.69 | 139% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | CHF 7.83 ($8.12) | $6.08 | 34% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.95 ($5.13) | $3.48 | 48% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.33 ($5.53) | $3.86 | 43% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.70 ($2.80) | $3.13 | 11% |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.45 ($3.57) | $3.35 | 7% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 49 ($50) | $25 | 104% |
| Entertainment | 36% | ||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 36% more expensive than in Boston (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 64 ($66) | $42 | 59% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 ($38) | $22 | 69% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 250 ($259) | $151 | 71% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | CHF 138 ($143) | $90 | 60% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16.53 ($17.14) | $10.86 | 58% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.35 ($5.54) | $3.77 | 47% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | CHF 6.41 ($6.64) | $5.34 | 24% |
| iPod nano 16GB | CHF 173 ($180) | $156 | 15% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.38 ($0.40) | $0.67 | 41% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | CHF 138 ($143) | $64 | 122% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | CHF 7.62 ($7.90) | $8.39 | 6% |
| TOTAL | 42% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 7,420 prices entered by 739 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2013.
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