Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 94% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 354 prices entered by 63 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 67% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 67% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (C$41) | C$22 | + 90% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (C$26) | C$13 | + 107% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$20) | C$10 | + 104% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.84 (C$3.05) | C$2.85 | + 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$14) | C$5.11 | + 167% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.06 (C$7) | C$4.89 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (C$15) | C$10 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.30 (C$5.47) | C$4.61 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.49 (C$4.13) | C$4.40 | - 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.95 (C$3.23) | C$3.71 | - 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 17 (C$29) | C$18 | + 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.05 (C$5.06) | C$2.63 | + 93% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 1.82 (C$3.03) | C$2.41 | + 26% | |
| Housing | + 117% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 117% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,773 (C$6,261) | C$2,308 | + 171% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,282 (C$3,786) | C$1,757 | + 115% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 177 (C$294) | C$120 | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,376 (C$3,943) | C$1,249 | + 216% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,457 (C$2,417) | C$1,119 | + 116% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 104 (C$173) | C$93 | + 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 34 (C$56) | C$66 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 327 (C$542) | C$342 | + 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 76 (C$126) | C$152 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 (C$20) | C$12 | + 63% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (C$49) | C$29 | + 70% | |
| Clothes | + 46% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 46% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 (C$172) | C$79 | + 118% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (C$84) | C$73 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 89 (C$148) | C$119 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 132 (C$219) | C$157 | + 40% | |
| Transportation | + 134% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 134% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,830 (C$44,518) | C$27,346 | + 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.75 (C$2.90) | C$1.75 | + 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 91 (C$151) | C$57 | + 165% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (C$90) | C$30 | + 197% | |
| Personal Care | + 78% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 78% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (C$25) | C$11 | + 127% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 21 (C$35) | C$38 | - 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 115 (C$190) | C$54 | + 252% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.38 (C$9) | C$9 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.24 (C$7) | C$5.44 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.67 (C$8) | C$6 | + 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.69 (C$6) | C$3.98 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.55 (C$5.89) | C$1.60 | + 268% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 54 (C$89) | C$24 | + 275% | |
| Entertainment | + 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 59% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 57 (C$94) | C$65 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 (C$53) | C$28 | + 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 185 (C$306) | C$104 | + 196% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 93 (C$154) | C$106 | + 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (C$26) | C$11 | + 130% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.70 (C$9) | C$5.86 | + 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (C$13) | C$6 | + 111% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 541 (C$898) | C$644 | + 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.49 (C$0.81) | C$0.50 | + 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 60 (C$100) | C$53 | + 87% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$15) | C$18 | - 14% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 94% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 354 prices entered by 63 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.659
CAD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least C$13,763 (CHF 8,294) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$7,100 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
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