Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 10% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States)
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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 457 prices entered by 73 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 31% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 ($26) | $19 | + 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($15) | $8 | + 92% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 ($14) | $5.00 | + 178% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.73 ($1.83) | $1.18 | + 55% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 7 ($8) | $4.46 | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 2.62 ($2.78) | $6 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 13 ($14) | $9 | + 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.67 ($3.90) | $4.31 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.29 ($2.43) | $1.75 | + 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.99 ($2.11) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 ($15) | $15 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.93 ($3.11) | $2.58 | + 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.98 ($3.16) | $3.27 | - 3% | |
| Housing | - 5% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 5% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,666 ($3,891) | $3,579 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,593 ($2,752) | $3,049 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 146 ($155) | $159 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,988 ($2,110) | $2,592 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,421 ($1,508) | $2,394 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 94 ($100) | $80 | + 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 50 ($53) | $52 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 412 ($437) | $375 | + 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 ($122) | $101 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 ($19) | $11 | + 64% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 35 ($37) | $29 | + 28% | |
| Clothes | + 53% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 53% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 149 ($158) | $64 | + 147% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 52 ($55) | $38 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 110 ($117) | $129 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 191 ($202) | - | - | |
| Transportation | + 14% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 14% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 29,682 ($31,502) | $22,338 | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.91 ($2.03) | $1.19 | + 70% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 90 ($95) | $104 | - 8% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 49 ($52) | $27 | + 90% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 5% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($16) | $9 | + 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 ($25) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 135 ($144) | $165 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 ($8) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.50 ($4.78) | $4.39 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.61 ($5.95) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.41 ($3.62) | $4.96 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.16 ($3.35) | $2.21 | + 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 51 ($54) | $30 | + 81% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 17% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 75 ($80) | $61 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 39 ($42) | $22 | + 86% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 138 ($146) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 116 ($123) | $96 | + 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 ($17) | $14 | + 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.22 ($5.54) | $5.12 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($7) | $7 | + 4% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 492 ($522) | $346 | + 51% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.25 ($0.27) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 93 ($98) | $112 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 ($9) | $10 | - 6% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 10% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 457 prices entered by 73 different people.
These prices were last updated on August 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.061
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $12,103 (CHF 11,404) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $11,000 in Oakland, California.
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