Cost of living in Lugano, Switzerland vs San Francisco, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | + 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Lugano (Switzerland) is 19% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 24 ($27) | $18 | + 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 13 ($15) | $9 | + 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 ($14) | $5.20 | + 167% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.46 ($1.61) | $1.16 | + 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 6 ($7) | $5.18 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.35 ($4.79) | $4.92 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 ($13) | $12 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 4.36 ($4.80) | $4.15 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.58 ($2.84) | $2.18 | + 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.83 ($2.02) | $5.54 | - 64% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 ($18) | $18 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.54 ($2.80) | $2.51 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.23 ($2.46) | $3.82 | - 36% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Lugano (Switzerland) is 30% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,564 ($2,823) | $3,960 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,910 ($2,102) | $3,733 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 222 ($244) | $128 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,380 ($1,520) | $2,873 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,052 ($1,158) | $2,430 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 110 ($121) | $101 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 52 ($57) | $48 | + 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 573 ($631) | $518 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 154 ($169) | $139 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 14 ($15) | $11 | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 25 ($28) | $42 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 50% | |||
| Clothes in Lugano (Switzerland) is 50% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 105 ($115) | $62 | + 85% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 61 ($68) | $46 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 128 ($140) | $105 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 191 ($210) | $171 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Lugano (Switzerland) is about the same as in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 28,097 ($30,932) | $23,115 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.53 ($1.68) | $0.95 | + 77% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 53 ($58) | $92 | - 37% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 39 ($43) | $19 | + 131% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Lugano (Switzerland) is 29% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 14 ($15) | $9 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 43 ($47) | $12 | + 296% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 110 ($121) | $132 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 8 ($9) | $7 | + 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.78 ($6) | $4.80 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.26 ($5.79) | $8 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.02 ($3.33) | $4.63 | - 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.91 ($4.31) | $2.49 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 38 ($42) | $32 | + 28% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Lugano (Switzerland) is 5% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 67 ($74) | $61 | + 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 33 ($37) | $31 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 110 ($121) | $263 | - 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 104 ($114) | $109 | + 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 ($17) | $15 | + 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 3.80 ($4.18) | $5.19 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 6 ($7) | $8 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 523 ($575) | $405 | + 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.38 ($0.42) | $0.35 | + 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 101 ($111) | $111 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 ($9) | $11 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.101
USD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 480 prices entered by 99 different people.
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Cost of living in Lugano (Switzerland) is 6% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
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