Cost of living in Lugano (Switzerland) is 69% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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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 88 prices entered by 10 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 72% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Lugano (Switzerland) is 72% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 ($30) | $14 | + 108% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($16) | $8 | + 108% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 ($11) | $4.70 | + 139% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.52 ($1.67) | $0.91 | + 85% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 7 ($7) | $2.33 | + 221% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.12 ($4.54) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 ($13) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.63 ($4.00) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.30 ($2.54) | $1.59 | + 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.64 ($1.81) | $2.40 | - 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 ($16) | $14 | + 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.16 ($2.38) | $1.84 | + 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.78 ($3.07) | $2.26 | + 36% | |
| Housing | + 61% | |||
| Housing in Lugano (Switzerland) is 61% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,786 ($3,071) | $1,810 | + 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,967 ($2,168) | $1,036 | + 109% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 235 ($259) | $153 | + 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,622 ($1,788) | $1,075 | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,246 ($1,374) | $753 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 139 ($154) | $127 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 58 ($64) | $48 | + 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 638 ($703) | $444 | + 59% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 194 ($213) | $84 | + 155% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 ($13) | $11 | + 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 25 ($27) | $25 | + 9% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Lugano (Switzerland) is 7% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 98 ($108) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 34 ($38) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 117 ($129) | $96 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 128 ($141) | $110 | + 29% | |
| Transportation | + 113% | |||
| Transportation in Lugano (Switzerland) is 113% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,992 ($35,263) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.90 ($2.10) | $0.78 | + 169% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 76 ($84) | $30 | + 180% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 38 ($42) | $17 | + 155% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Lugano (Switzerland) is 22% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 14 ($15) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 40 ($44) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 107 ($118) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 6 ($7) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.29 ($5.83) | $3.01 | + 93% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.81 ($5.30) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.91 ($3.21) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.99 ($4.39) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 36 ($40) | $23 | + 73% | |
| Entertainment | + 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Lugano (Switzerland) is 59% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lugano | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 75 ($82) | $40 | + 103% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 ($35) | $20 | + 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 115 ($126) | $110 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 122 ($135) | $92 | + 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 14 ($16) | $7 | + 110% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 3.91 ($4.31) | $4.01 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 5.93 ($7) | $4.44 | + 47% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 525 ($579) | $424 | + 37% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.33 ($0.36) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 109 ($120) | $51 | + 137% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 ($9) | $7 | + 20% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 69% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 88 prices entered by 10 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.102
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $9,115 (CHF 8,270) in Lugano to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,400 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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