Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 87% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 307 prices entered by 73 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 97% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 97% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 34 (€36) | €17 | + 118% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 17 (€18) | €9 | + 101% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 (€10) | €4.54 | + 128% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.73 (€1.86) | €1.38 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 9 (€10) | €4.18 | + 140% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.20 (€4.52) | €3.67 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (€11) | €6 | + 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.86 (€4.15) | €2.47 | + 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.60 (€2.80) | €1.89 | + 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.10 (€2.26) | €1.06 | + 112% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 (€16) | €7 | + 131% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.98 (€3.21) | €2.10 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.12 (€2.28) | €1.19 | + 91% | |
| Housing | + 97% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 97% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,943 (€4,243) | €1,929 | + 120% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,418 (€2,602) | €1,540 | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 219 (€235) | €188 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,424 (€2,608) | €1,167 | + 124% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,448 (€1,558) | €897 | + 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 81 (€87) | €134 | - 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 48 (€52) | €27 | + 92% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 351 (€378) | €480 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 84 (€90) | €91 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 20 (€21) | €5.59 | + 277% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 36 (€39) | €16 | + 147% | |
| Clothes | + 51% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 51% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 129 (€138) | €86 | + 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 67 (€72) | €48 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 112 (€121) | €90 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 167 (€179) | €115 | + 56% | |
| Transportation | + 48% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 48% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 34,443 (€37,059) | €28,416 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.87 (€2.01) | €1.85 | + 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 85 (€92) | €63 | + 46% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (€58) | €20 | + 195% | |
| Personal Care | + 182% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 182% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 (€17) | €6 | + 174% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 22 (€24) | €10 | + 137% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 130 (€140) | €46 | + 202% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.73 (€6) | €3.18 | + 94% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.25 (€5.65) | €2.06 | + 175% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.22 (€5.61) | €2.09 | + 169% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 4.30 (€4.63) | €1.66 | + 179% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.59 (€3.86) | €1.43 | + 169% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 72 (€77) | €22 | + 246% | |
| Entertainment | + 128% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 128% more expensive than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 62 (€67) | €36 | + 86% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 (€39) | €20 | + 92% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 197 (€212) | €195 | + 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 140 (€151) | €69 | + 118% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (€19) | €8 | + 136% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 6 (€7) | €2.89 | + 135% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€9) | €4.37 | + 98% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 543 (€584) | €498 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.54 (€0.58) | €0.08 | + 599% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 76 (€81) | €33 | + 149% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€10) | €7 | + 42% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 87% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 307 prices entered by 73 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 06, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.076
EUR
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least €11,580 (CHF 10,763) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €6,200 in Cologne.
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