Cost of living in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 69% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (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 Nanaimo, British Columbia or in Lausanne? You can help!
Improve the prices for Nanaimo, British Columbia! Improve the prices for Lausanne!

This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 138 prices entered by 18 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | + 67% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 67% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 28 (C$41) | C$19 | + 120% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (C$23) | C$11 | + 102% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 (C$15) | C$7 | + 112% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.52 (C$2.26) | C$2.38 | - 5% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$5.16 | + 124% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.97 (C$5.88) | C$4.33 | + 36% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (C$14) | C$10 | + 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.96 (C$5.87) | C$3.72 | + 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.04 (C$3.02) | C$2.66 | + 13% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.37 (C$3.51) | C$3.97 | - 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 12 (C$18) | C$24 | - 25% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.54 (C$3.77) | C$2.42 | + 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.44 (C$3.62) | C$2.62 | + 38% | |
Housing | + 75% | |||
Housing in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 75% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,699 (C$4,000) | C$2,008 | + 99% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,916 (C$2,840) | C$1,645 | + 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 205 (C$304) | C$99 | + 208% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,767 (C$2,620) | C$1,201 | + 118% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,201 (C$1,781) | C$1,069 | + 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 90 (C$134) | C$85 | + 58% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 46 (C$69) | C$77 | - 10% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 660 (C$979) | C$351 | + 179% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 160 (C$237) | C$159 | + 49% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 (C$27) | C$17 | + 62% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 35 (C$52) | C$28 | + 86% | |
Clothes | + 53% | |||
Clothes in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 53% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 123 (C$183) | C$87 | + 111% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 67 (C$99) | C$80 | + 24% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 152 (C$225) | C$119 | + 89% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 207 (C$306) | C$162 | + 90% | |
Transportation | + 72% | |||
Transportation in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 72% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 28,154 (C$41,731) | C$25,318 | + 65% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.81 (C$2.69) | C$1.65 | + 63% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 81 (C$120) | C$66 | + 81% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 32 (C$47) | C$31 | + 52% | |
Personal Care | + 76% | |||
Personal Care in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 76% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 19 (C$28) | C$13 | + 119% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 38 (C$57) | C$38 | + 50% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 102 (C$151) | C$54 | + 179% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$9 | + 33% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.59 (C$7) | C$5.63 | + 21% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.62 (C$8) | C$5.47 | + 52% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.90 (C$4.30) | C$3.95 | + 9% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.79 (C$5.62) | C$1.60 | + 251% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 46 (C$68) | C$24 | + 182% | |
Entertainment | + 61% | |||
Entertainment in Lausanne (Switzerland) is 61% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Lausanne | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 74 (C$110) | C$63 | + 73% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 39 (C$58) | C$28 | + 106% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 147 (C$217) | C$105 | + 107% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 112 (C$166) | C$107 | + 55% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 19 (C$28) | C$12 | + 125% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.04 (C$7) | C$5.19 | + 44% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$6 | + 99% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 708 (C$1,049) | C$677 | + 55% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.36 (C$0.53) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 79 (C$117) | C$53 | + 119% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$14 | - 8% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | + 69% |

These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.482
CAD
/
CHF
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Singapore is 64% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in New York City is 18% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Johor Bahru is 74% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 34% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in London is 75% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Singapore is 25% more expensive than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 29% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 20% more expensive than in Toronto
- Cost of living in Paris is 38% more expensive than in Madrid
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least C$10,999 (CHF 7,420) in Lausanne to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$6,500 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Do you live in Nanaimo, British Columbia? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Innsbruck (Austria)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Abbotsford (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pescara (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Walnut Creek, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Santa Fe, New Mexico (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Luxembourg
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Prices recently added
- Hourly rate for domestic cleaning help in Asunción costs 25,000 Gs (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Sorocaba costs R$ 25 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Valparaiso costs CH$650,000 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Bikaner costs ₨40 (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Valletta costs €2,500 (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Madrid costs €2,400 (about 4 hours ago)