Cost of living comparison between Zurich (Switzerland) and Sydney (Australia)
| Food | 32% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 32% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | CHF 24 (AU$26) | AU$16.09 | 62% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | CHF 12.88 (AU$13.76) | AU$7.78 | 77% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | CHF 13.64 (AU$14.57) | AU$6.10 | 139% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.65 (AU$1.77) | AU$1.98 | 11% |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 5.76 (AU$6.15) | AU$4.62 | 33% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.32 (AU$4.62) | AU$4.63 | 0% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9.57 (AU$10.22) | AU$6.31 | 62% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 4.13 (AU$4.41) | AU$4.30 | 3% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 4 (AU$4.27) | AU$4.10 | 4% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.56 (AU$1.66) | AU$3.79 | 56% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16.23 (AU$17.34) | AU$18.32 | 5% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | CHF 2.64 (AU$2.82) | AU$3.33 | 16% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.84 (AU$3.03) | AU$2.93 | 4% |
| Housing | 31% | ||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 31% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | CHF 3,191 (AU$3,409) | AU$2,536 | 34% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 202 (AU$216) | AU$154 | 40% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | CHF 49 (AU$52) | AU$47 | 10% |
| 40” flat screen TV | CHF 800 (AU$855) | AU$833 | 3% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | CHF 223 (AU$238) | AU$168 | 41% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 14.69 (AU$15.70) | AU$8.29 | 89% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 33 (AU$36) | AU$33 | 9% |
| Clothes | 14% | ||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 14% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | CHF 130 (AU$139) | AU$118 | 18% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | CHF 76 (AU$81) | AU$72 | 13% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | CHF 120 (AU$128) | AU$144 | 11% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | CHF 164 (AU$175) | AU$129 | 36% |
| Transportation | 9% | ||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 9% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 33,657 (AU$35,954) | AU$30,444 | 18% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.81 (AU$1.94) | AU$1.46 | 33% |
| monthly ticket public transport | CHF 84 (AU$89) | AU$115 | 22% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | CHF 30 (AU$32) | AU$25 | 28% |
| Personal Care | 35% | ||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 35% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | CHF 19.56 (AU$21) | AU$15.24 | 37% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | CHF 7.79 (AU$8.32) | AU$7.50 | 11% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 6.19 (AU$6.62) | AU$4.04 | 64% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 7 (AU$7.48) | AU$5.97 | 25% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.76 (AU$2.95) | AU$3.79 | 22% |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.25 (AU$3.47) | AU$3.84 | 9% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 52 (AU$56) | AU$24 | 129% |
| Entertainment | 15% | ||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 15% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 73 (AU$78) | AU$42 | 87% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 37 (AU$39) | AU$33 | 17% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 214 (AU$229) | AU$180 | 27% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | CHF 136 (AU$145) | AU$113 | 29% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18.20 (AU$19.44) | AU$15.48 | 26% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.36 (AU$5.72) | AU$3.81 | 50% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | CHF 6.59 (AU$7.04) | AU$5.64 | 25% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | CHF 140 (AU$150) | AU$174 | 14% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.38 (AU$0.41) | AU$0.77 | 47% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | CHF 123 (AU$132) | AU$86 | 53% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | CHF 7.42 (AU$7.92) | AU$16.46 | 52% |
| TOTAL | 19% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 7,083 prices entered by 647 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2012.
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Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 19% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia)
For example, you would need at least AU$4,293
(CHF 4,018)
in Zurich
to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with
AU$3,600
in Sydney.