Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 211% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia)
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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 1,146 prices entered by 186 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 212% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 212% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 28 (COL$121,383) | COL$31,299 | + 288% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 17 (COL$74,374) | COL$26,422 | + 181% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 14 (COL$62,026) | COL$11,962 | + 419% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.67 (COL$7,348) | COL$4,057 | + 81% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 9 (COL$38,664) | COL$9,728 | + 297% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.53 (COL$15,517) | COL$3,780 | + 310% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 (COL$50,991) | COL$13,763 | + 270% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.82 (COL$16,783) | COL$9,038 | + 86% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.07 (COL$9,075) | COL$4,423 | + 105% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.95 (COL$8,578) | COL$3,686 | + 133% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 (COL$69,969) | COL$48,073 | + 46% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.03 (COL$13,311) | COL$6,336 | + 110% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.97 (COL$13,056) | COL$4,458 | + 193% | |
Housing | + 307% | |||
Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 307% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,691 (COL$16,217,884) | COL$3,614,250 | + 349% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,443 (COL$10,731,460) | COL$1,602,220 | + 570% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 156 (COL$687,525) | COL$290,019 | + 137% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,806 (COL$7,936,711) | COL$2,069,850 | + 283% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,157 (COL$5,085,152) | COL$1,097,710 | + 363% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 95 (COL$416,423) | COL$206,044 | + 102% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 48 (COL$210,035) | COL$72,014 | + 192% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 412 (COL$1,809,691) | COL$1,725,050 | + 5% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 (COL$505,892) | COL$655,751 | - 23% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 19 (COL$82,828) | COL$29,315 | + 183% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 34 (COL$151,471) | COL$13,114 | + 1055% | |
Clothes | + 95% | |||
Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 95% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 134 (COL$588,914) | COL$232,730 | + 153% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 52 (COL$228,742) | COL$150,484 | + 52% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 126 (COL$552,860) | COL$336,082 | + 65% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 228 (COL$1,001,468) | COL$324,982 | + 208% | |
Transportation | + 148% | |||
Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 148% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 28,403 (COL$124,790,297) | COL$81,734,900 | + 53% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.84 (COL$8,082) | COL$5,358 | + 51% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 85 (COL$375,373) | COL$122,483 | + 206% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 45 (COL$199,675) | COL$26,568 | + 652% | |
Personal Care | + 191% | |||
Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 191% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (COL$67,550) | COL$19,621 | + 244% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 (COL$104,685) | COL$18,590 | + 463% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 135 (COL$595,123) | COL$104,808 | + 468% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 (COL$31,581) | COL$26,351 | + 20% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.58 (COL$20,118) | COL$14,315 | + 41% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.61 (COL$24,635) | COL$19,923 | + 24% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.75 (COL$16,474) | COL$8,282 | + 99% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.16 (COL$13,870) | COL$8,773 | + 58% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 60 (COL$263,151) | COL$40,053 | + 557% | |
Entertainment | + 270% | |||
Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 270% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 63 (COL$275,196) | COL$55,624 | + 395% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 35 (COL$153,808) | COL$41,675 | + 269% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 166 (COL$731,470) | COL$112,608 | + 550% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 114 (COL$499,851) | COL$103,600 | + 382% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (COL$77,311) | COL$31,210 | + 148% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 6 (COL$26,417) | COL$8,965 | + 195% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (COL$30,350) | COL$5,787 | + 424% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 516 (COL$2,265,281) | COL$2,138,030 | + 6% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.41 (COL$1,796) | COL$150 | + 1094% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 78 (COL$340,554) | COL$151,422 | + 125% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 11 (COL$46,176) | COL$10,536 | + 338% | |
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TOTAL | + 211% |

These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4393.638
COP
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least COL$34,191,815 (CHF 7,782) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with COL$11,000,000 in Medellín.
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