Cost of living in Basel (Switzerland) is 60% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 26 prices entered by 11 different people.
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Food | + 81% | |||
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Food in Basel (Switzerland) is 81% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 (£25) | £13 | + 89% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (£15) | £6 | + 126% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (£11) | £3.87 | + 184% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.75 (£1.61) | £1.20 | + 34% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 7 (£7) | £3.27 | + 100% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.47 (£4.12) | £2.36 | + 74% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 (£10) | £5.27 | + 90% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.85 (£3.55) | £2.35 | + 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.61 (£2.40) | £1.03 | + 133% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.41 (£2.22) | £2.83 | - 22% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 12 (£11) | £9 | + 24% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.68 (£2.47) | £1.79 | + 38% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.64 (£2.44) | £1.34 | + 82% | |
Housing | + 81% | |||
Housing in Basel (Switzerland) is 81% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,630 (£2,422) | £953 | + 154% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,915 (£1,763) | £1,073 | + 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 253 (£233) | £297 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,375 (£1,266) | £702 | + 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 930 (£856) | £544 | + 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 154 (£141) | £125 | + 13% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 61 (£56) | £25 | + 123% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 516 (£475) | £418 | + 14% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 150 (£138) | £129 | + 7% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 (£17) | £7 | + 136% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (£29) | £13 | + 123% | |
Clothes | + 51% | |||
Clothes in Basel (Switzerland) is 51% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 103 (£95) | £69 | + 38% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 61 (£56) | £37 | + 51% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 119 (£110) | £99 | + 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 194 (£179) | £52 | + 243% | |
Transportation | + 23% | |||
Transportation in Basel (Switzerland) is 23% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,651 (£24,543) | £17,412 | + 41% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.91 (£1.76) | £1.52 | + 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 83 (£76) | £65 | + 17% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 33 (£31) | £18 | + 68% | |
Personal Care | + 130% | |||
Personal Care in Basel (Switzerland) is 130% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 (£15) | £2.31 | + 530% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 34 (£31) | £4.96 | + 527% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 144 (£133) | £94 | + 41% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.26 (£4.84) | £2.68 | + 81% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.98 (£4.59) | £1.57 | + 193% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.20 (£4.79) | £4.18 | + 14% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.06 (£2.82) | £2.17 | + 30% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.67 (£3.38) | £1.68 | + 101% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 46 (£42) | £13 | + 228% | |
Entertainment | + 62% | |||
Entertainment in Basel (Switzerland) is 62% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Basel | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (£70) | £61 | + 15% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 34 (£31) | £15 | + 107% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 233 (£214) | £83 | + 160% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 143 (£131) | £72 | + 82% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (£16) | £7 | + 111% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.82 (£5.36) | £3.57 | + 50% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (£6) | £4.42 | + 37% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 449 (£413) | £502 | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.36 (£0.33) | £0.09 | + 270% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 113 (£104) | £50 | + 107% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 (£8) | £11 | - 33% | |
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TOTAL | + 60% |

These prices were last updated on April 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.921
GBP
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least £4,804 (CHF 5,216) in Basel to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £3,000 in Aberdeen.
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