Cost of living in Lugano (Switzerland) is 70% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 59 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 70% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Lugano (Switzerland) is 70% 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 26 ($30) | $16 | + 90% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($17) | $8 | + 109% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 ($12) | $5.02 | + 148% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.61 ($1.82) | $1.01 | + 80% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 6 ($7) | $2.80 | + 158% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.12 ($4.65) | $4.92 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 ($13) | $7 | + 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.63 ($4.10) | $2.79 | + 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.30 ($2.60) | $1.74 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.64 ($1.86) | $2.31 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 ($17) | $15 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.18 ($2.46) | $1.99 | + 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.89 ($3.27) | $1.80 | + 81% | |
| Housing | + 65% | |||
| Housing in Lugano (Switzerland) is 65% 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 ($3,148) | $1,810 | + 74% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,967 ($2,223) | $1,036 | + 115% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 235 ($266) | $153 | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,603 ($1,811) | $1,075 | + 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,209 ($1,366) | $753 | + 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 139 ($157) | $127 | + 24% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 58 ($65) | $48 | + 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 638 ($721) | $387 | + 86% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 194 ($219) | $86 | + 156% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 16 ($18) | $11 | + 61% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 25 ($28) | $24 | + 19% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in Lugano (Switzerland) is 13% 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 ($110) | $48 | + 131% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 34 ($39) | $58 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 117 ($133) | $77 | + 72% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 128 ($144) | $102 | + 42% | |
| Transportation | + 106% | |||
| Transportation in Lugano (Switzerland) is 106% 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 ($36,145) | $23,749 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.77 ($2.00) | $0.72 | + 179% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 60 ($68) | $30 | + 125% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 24 ($28) | $17 | + 67% | |
| Personal Care | + 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Lugano (Switzerland) is 37% 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) | $8 | + 104% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 40 ($45) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 107 ($121) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 6 ($7) | $7 | + 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.29 ($5.98) | $3.53 | + 69% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.81 ($5.43) | $5.28 | + 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.91 ($3.29) | $3.18 | + 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.99 ($4.50) | $1.83 | + 147% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 36 ($41) | $23 | + 77% | |
| Entertainment | + 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Lugano (Switzerland) is 66% 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 ($84) | $42 | + 102% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 ($36) | $21 | + 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 115 ($130) | $108 | + 20% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 122 ($138) | $80 | + 72% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 14 ($16) | $7 | + 115% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 3.91 ($4.42) | $4.01 | + 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 5.93 ($7) | $4.44 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 525 ($593) | $479 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.33 ($0.37) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 109 ($123) | $46 | + 168% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 ($9) | $8 | + 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 70% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 59 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 13, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.130
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $9,519 (CHF 8,426) in Lugano to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,600 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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