Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 36% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia)
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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 891 prices entered by 151 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 55% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 30 (AU$51) | AU$24 | + 114% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 17 (AU$29) | AU$15 | + 97% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 9 (AU$15) | AU$7 | + 110% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.69 (AU$2.92) | AU$2.17 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (AU$15) | AU$7 | + 118% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.37 (AU$8) | AU$6 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (AU$17) | AU$8 | + 111% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.44 (AU$5.94) | AU$5.67 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.47 (AU$4.26) | AU$3.74 | + 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.05 (AU$3.54) | AU$7 | - 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 (AU$26) | AU$19 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.79 (AU$4.81) | AU$3.79 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.12 (AU$3.65) | AU$3.44 | + 6% | |
| Housing | + 48% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 48% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,682 (AU$6,362) | AU$4,057 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,456 (AU$4,244) | AU$2,843 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 359 (AU$621) | AU$265 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,191 (AU$3,787) | AU$2,283 | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,462 (AU$2,526) | AU$1,894 | + 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 81 (AU$140) | AU$169 | - 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 48 (AU$83) | AU$76 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 351 (AU$606) | AU$829 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 84 (AU$145) | AU$245 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 14 (AU$25) | AU$19 | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 32 (AU$56) | AU$40 | + 39% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 42% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 122 (AU$210) | AU$119 | + 77% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 67 (AU$115) | AU$88 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 107 (AU$185) | AU$169 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 167 (AU$288) | AU$182 | + 58% | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 6% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 34,443 (AU$59,517) | AU$39,104 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.83 (AU$3.17) | AU$2.00 | + 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 85 (AU$148) | AU$183 | - 19% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (AU$94) | AU$34 | + 175% | |
| Personal Care | + 86% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 86% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 (AU$28) | AU$9 | + 221% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 22 (AU$39) | AU$19 | + 105% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 130 (AU$225) | AU$82 | + 175% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.73 (AU$10) | AU$7 | + 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.95 (AU$9) | AU$5.66 | + 51% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.22 (AU$9) | AU$11 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.32 (AU$5.74) | AU$5.09 | + 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.38 (AU$5.84) | AU$5.82 | + 0% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 60 (AU$104) | AU$42 | + 147% | |
| Entertainment | + 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 37% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 62 (AU$108) | AU$72 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 (AU$63) | AU$45 | + 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 197 (AU$340) | AU$406 | - 16% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 140 (AU$242) | AU$118 | + 105% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (AU$30) | AU$24 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.95 (AU$10) | AU$5.29 | + 94% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (AU$13) | AU$13 | + 0% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 543 (AU$938) | AU$1,106 | - 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.54 (AU$0.93) | AU$0.43 | + 114% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 76 (AU$130) | AU$83 | + 56% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (AU$16) | AU$46 | - 66% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 36% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 891 prices entered by 151 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 14, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.728
AUD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least AU$16,287 (CHF 9,426) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with AU$12,000 in Melbourne.
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