Cost of living in Bern (Switzerland) is 54% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 75 prices entered by 8 different people.
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Food | + 90% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bern (Switzerland) is 90% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 24 (£22) | £13 | + 70% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (£15) | £6 | + 136% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 (£12) | £3.87 | + 221% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 2.06 (£1.90) | £1.20 | + 57% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (£8) | £3.27 | + 130% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.30 (£3.96) | £1.99 | + 99% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 15 (£14) | £5.27 | + 157% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.90 (£3.59) | £2.27 | + 59% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.68 (£2.47) | £1.03 | + 140% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.39 (£2.21) | £2.83 | - 22% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 17 (£16) | £9 | + 77% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.62 (£2.42) | £1.79 | + 35% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.90 (£2.68) | £1.34 | + 100% | |
Housing | + 80% | |||
Housing in Bern (Switzerland) is 80% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,368 (£2,184) | £953 | + 129% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,823 (£1,681) | £1,073 | + 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 191 (£176) | £297 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,655 (£1,526) | £702 | + 117% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,049 (£968) | £544 | + 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 360 (£332) | £125 | + 166% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 37 (£34) | £25 | + 37% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 501 (£462) | £418 | + 10% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 166 (£153) | £129 | + 19% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 16 (£15) | £7 | + 115% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (£29) | £13 | + 123% | |
Clothes | + 43% | |||
Clothes in Bern (Switzerland) is 43% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 (£96) | £69 | + 40% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 56 (£52) | £37 | + 38% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 127 (£117) | £99 | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 148 (£137) | £52 | + 162% | |
Transportation | + 19% | |||
Transportation in Bern (Switzerland) is 19% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,518 (£29,065) | £17,412 | + 67% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.81 (£1.67) | £1.52 | + 10% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 76 (£70) | £67 | + 6% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 35 (£32) | £18 | + 76% | |
Personal Care | + 94% | |||
Personal Care in Bern (Switzerland) is 94% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 10 (£10) | £2.31 | + 314% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 29 (£27) | £5.75 | + 369% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 102 (£94) | £94 | + 0% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 (£6) | £2.46 | + 146% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.56 (£4.21) | £1.57 | + 168% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 3.96 (£3.65) | £4.18 | - 13% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.42 (£3.15) | £2.17 | + 46% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.48 (£3.21) | £1.68 | + 91% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 52 (£48) | £13 | + 273% | |
Entertainment | + 37% | |||
Entertainment in Bern (Switzerland) is 37% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bern | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 59 (£55) | £61 | - 10% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 37 (£34) | £13 | + 151% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 155 (£143) | £83 | + 73% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 87 (£80) | £72 | + 11% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 15 (£14) | £7 | + 87% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.45 (£5.03) | £3.57 | + 41% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 6 (£5.84) | £4.42 | + 32% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 551 (£508) | £502 | + 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.36 (£0.34) | £0.09 | + 274% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 85 (£79) | £50 | + 57% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (£8) | £11 | - 31% | |
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TOTAL | + 54% |

These prices were last updated on July 08, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.922
GBP
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least £4,467 (CHF 4,844) in Bern to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £2,900 in Aberdeen.
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