Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 73% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 423 prices entered by 69 different people.
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| Food | + 77% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 77% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (€27) | €16 | + 68% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (€17) | €9 | + 97% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (€13) | €4.71 | + 178% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.84 (€1.97) | €1.16 | + 70% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (€9) | €4.39 | + 102% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.06 (€4.36) | €2.77 | + 57% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (€10) | €7 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.30 (€3.54) | €2.63 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.49 (€2.67) | €1.74 | + 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.95 (€2.09) | €1.01 | + 107% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 (€15) | €7 | + 114% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.05 (€3.28) | €2.02 | + 62% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 1.82 (€1.96) | €1.99 | - 2% | |
| Housing | + 79% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 79% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,773 (€4,054) | €1,903 | + 113% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,282 (€2,452) | €1,804 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 177 (€191) | €188 | + 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,376 (€2,554) | €1,152 | + 122% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,457 (€1,565) | €912 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 104 (€112) | €126 | - 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 34 (€36) | €25 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 327 (€351) | €353 | - 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 76 (€82) | €116 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 (€13) | €5.51 | + 130% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (€32) | €19 | + 72% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 (€111) | €90 | + 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (€54) | €58 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 89 (€96) | €106 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 132 (€142) | €165 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | + 66% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 66% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,830 (€28,830) | €26,119 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.80 (€1.94) | €1.66 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 91 (€98) | €52 | + 88% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (€58) | €24 | + 143% | |
| Personal Care | + 103% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 103% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (€16) | €10 | + 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 21 (€22) | €11 | + 108% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 115 (€123) | €55 | + 124% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.38 (€5.78) | €3.48 | + 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.24 (€4.56) | €2.50 | + 82% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.67 (€5.02) | €2.96 | + 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.69 (€3.97) | €1.50 | + 164% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.55 (€3.81) | €1.68 | + 127% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 54 (€58) | €28 | + 107% | |
| Entertainment | + 85% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 85% more expensive than in Hamburg (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Hamburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 57 (€61) | €40 | + 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 (€34) | €25 | + 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 185 (€198) | €156 | + 27% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 93 (€100) | €57 | + 75% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (€17) | €11 | + 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.70 (€6) | €3.80 | + 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€8) | €4.16 | + 99% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 541 (€581) | €470 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.49 (€0.52) | €0.09 | + 481% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 60 (€65) | €54 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€10) | €8 | + 29% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 73% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 423 prices entered by 69 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.075
EUR
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least €9,495 (CHF 8,836) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €5,500 in Hamburg.
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