Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 85% 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 309 prices entered by 60 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 88% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 88% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 26 ($28) | $14 | + 94% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($16) | $8 | + 113% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 14 ($16) | $4.70 | + 232% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.79 ($1.96) | $0.91 | + 116% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($9) | $2.33 | + 292% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.36 ($4.77) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 ($13) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.53 ($3.86) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.41 ($2.64) | $1.59 | + 66% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.06 ($2.26) | $2.40 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 ($18) | $14 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.02 ($3.30) | $1.84 | + 80% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 3.14 ($3.44) | $2.26 | + 52% | |
| Housing | + 88% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 88% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,646 ($3,990) | $1,810 | + 120% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,679 ($2,932) | $1,036 | + 183% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 153 ($168) | $153 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,988 ($2,176) | $1,075 | + 102% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,421 ($1,555) | $753 | + 106% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 94 ($103) | $127 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 50 ($55) | $48 | + 14% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 412 ($451) | $444 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 ($126) | $84 | + 51% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 ($19) | $11 | + 81% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 38 ($41) | $25 | + 65% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 14% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 126 ($138) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 52 ($57) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 110 ($120) | $96 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 191 ($209) | $110 | + 90% | |
| Transportation | + 132% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 132% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,103 ($34,046) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.95 ($2.14) | $0.78 | + 175% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 86 ($94) | $30 | + 213% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 48 ($52) | $17 | + 215% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 27% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($17) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 ($26) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 135 ($148) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 ($8) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.58 ($5.01) | $3.01 | + 66% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.61 ($6) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.93 ($4.30) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.16 ($3.46) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 53 ($58) | $23 | + 154% | |
| Entertainment | + 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 58% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 67 ($73) | $40 | + 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 35 ($38) | $20 | + 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 166 ($182) | $110 | + 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 129 ($141) | $92 | + 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 ($19) | $7 | + 160% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 ($6) | $4.01 | + 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($7) | $4.44 | + 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 526 ($576) | $424 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.25 ($0.27) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 81 ($89) | $51 | + 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 11 ($12) | $7 | + 63% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 85% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 309 prices entered by 60 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.095
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $9,970 (CHF 9,108) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,400 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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