Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 68% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Montreal or in Zurich? You can help!
Improve the prices for Montreal! Improve the prices for Zurich!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 628 prices entered by 94 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 55% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (C$43) | C$24 | + 76% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (C$27) | C$16 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$21) | C$10 | + 118% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.84 (C$3.16) | C$3.79 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$14) | C$7 | + 104% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.06 (C$7) | C$5.54 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (C$15) | C$13 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.30 (C$5.66) | C$3.96 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.49 (C$4.27) | C$3.01 | + 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.95 (C$3.34) | C$3.51 | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 (C$25) | C$20 | + 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.05 (C$5.24) | C$3.12 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 1.82 (C$3.13) | C$2.92 | + 7% | |
| Housing | + 106% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 106% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,773 (C$6,483) | C$2,596 | + 150% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,282 (C$3,921) | C$1,998 | + 96% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 177 (C$305) | C$120 | + 154% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,376 (C$4,083) | C$1,714 | + 138% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,457 (C$2,503) | C$1,380 | + 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 104 (C$179) | C$74 | + 142% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 34 (C$58) | C$54 | + 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 327 (C$561) | C$526 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 76 (C$131) | C$183 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 (C$20) | C$17 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (C$51) | C$26 | + 95% | |
| Clothes | + 62% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 62% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 (C$178) | C$77 | + 132% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (C$87) | C$61 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 89 (C$153) | C$154 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 132 (C$227) | C$133 | + 71% | |
| Transportation | + 66% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 66% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,830 (C$46,100) | C$35,614 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.80 (C$3.10) | C$1.66 | + 86% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 91 (C$156) | C$101 | + 55% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (C$93) | C$31 | + 196% | |
| Personal Care | + 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 34% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (C$25) | C$12 | + 104% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 21 (C$36) | C$29 | + 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 115 (C$197) | C$177 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.38 (C$9) | C$9 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.24 (C$7) | C$6 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.67 (C$8) | C$7 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.69 (C$6) | C$6 | - 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.55 (C$6) | C$3.43 | + 78% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 54 (C$92) | C$31 | + 202% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 49% more expensive than in Montreal (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Montreal | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 57 (C$97) | C$68 | + 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 (C$55) | C$31 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 185 (C$317) | C$182 | + 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 93 (C$160) | C$154 | + 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (C$28) | C$20 | + 42% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.70 (C$10) | C$5.91 | + 66% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (C$13) | C$9 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 541 (C$929) | C$866 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.49 (C$0.84) | C$0.39 | + 117% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 60 (C$104) | C$52 | + 101% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$16) | C$15 | + 3% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 68% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 628 prices entered by 94 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.718
CAD
/
CHF
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Dublin is 92% more expensive than in Brno
- Cost of living in Seoul is 47% cheaper than in San Diego, California
- Cost of living in New York City is 11% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Amsterdam is 25% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Lima is 15% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Macao is 35% cheaper than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Tehran is 626% more expensive than in Bucharest
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 28% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Jerusalem is 396% more expensive than in Uzhhorod
- Cost of living in Bangkok is 28% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least C$13,816 (CHF 8,041) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$8,200 in Montreal.
Do you live in Montreal? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bologna (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Valletta (Malta)
- Cost of Living, Prices in St. Louis, Missouri (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bilbao (Spain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chicago, Illinois (United States)
Prices recently added
- 1 liter of gasoline in Birmingham costs £1.36 (about 1 hour ago)
- Utilities, monthly for 2 people in 85 m2 in Vancouver costs C$60 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Almaty costs 400,000 KZT (about 7 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Jose, Costa Rica costs ₡ 3,400 (about 7 hours ago)
- 1 us gal of gasoline in Houston, Texas costs $0.71 (about 9 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Taipei costs 28 NT$ (about 9 hours ago)