Cost of living in Basel, Switzerland vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | + 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Basel (Switzerland) is 49% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 24 ($26) | $19 | + 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 ($17) | $11 | + 61% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 ($14) | $5.19 | + 174% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.75 ($1.93) | $1.21 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($8) | $3.92 | + 115% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.16 ($4.58) | $4.21 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 ($12) | $7 | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 4.01 ($4.42) | $4.37 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.91 ($3.21) | $2.38 | + 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 3.51 ($3.86) | $2.95 | + 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 ($18) | $18 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.78 ($3.06) | $2.37 | + 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.39 ($2.63) | $2.24 | + 18% | |
| Housing | - 10% | |||
| Housing in Basel (Switzerland) is 10% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,231 ($2,456) | $3,253 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,971 ($2,170) | $2,659 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 221 ($243) | $149 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,611 ($1,773) | $2,294 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 970 ($1,068) | $1,555 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 142 ($156) | $114 | + 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 59 ($65) | $38 | + 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 695 ($766) | $329 | + 133% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 134 ($148) | $128 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 ($14) | $10 | + 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 29 ($32) | $37 | - 15% | |
| Clothes | + 37% | |||
| Clothes in Basel (Switzerland) is 37% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 ($114) | $49 | + 134% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 47 ($51) | $50 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 123 ($135) | $89 | + 52% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 175 ($193) | $112 | + 72% | |
| Transportation | + 28% | |||
| Transportation in Basel (Switzerland) is 28% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 24,494 ($26,966) | $23,712 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.60 ($1.77) | $0.92 | + 91% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 82 ($90) | $81 | + 12% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 39 ($43) | $19 | + 126% | |
| Personal Care | + 44% | |||
| Personal Care in Basel (Switzerland) is 44% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($16) | $7 | + 134% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 36 ($40) | $21 | + 91% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 118 ($130) | $110 | + 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.39 ($5.93) | $7 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.03 ($5.54) | $3.71 | + 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.76 ($5.24) | $5.68 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.04 ($3.35) | $3.57 | - 6% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.65 ($4.02) | $1.93 | + 109% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 44 ($49) | $21 | + 130% | |
| Entertainment | + 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Basel (Switzerland) is 35% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 67 ($74) | $50 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 37 ($41) | $27 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 217 ($239) | $202 | + 18% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 144 ($158) | $89 | + 77% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 ($19) | $13 | + 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.16 ($5.68) | $5.70 | - 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($8) | $8 | - 1% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 454 ($500) | $436 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.37 ($0.41) | $0.43 | - 4% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 103 ($114) | $62 | + 83% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 ($9) | $9 | + 1% | |
| TOTAL | + 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.101
USD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 338 prices entered by 49 different people.
Do you live in San Jose, California? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Auckland is 43% more expensive than in Barcelona
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 76% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Paris is 40% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Valencia is 87% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in London is 19% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in London is 66% more expensive than in Barcelona
- Cost of living in Madrid is 139% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Milan is 86% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 21% cheaper than in Lima
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Cork (Ireland)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Oxford (United Kingdom)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Diego, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Limassol (Cyprus)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Geneva (Switzerland)
Cost of living in Basel (Switzerland) is 20% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, you would need at least $13,156 (CHF 11,950) in Basel to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $11,000 in San Jose, California.
Prices recently added
- 500 ml beer in neighbourhood pub in Bhubaneswar costs ₨150 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Eugene, Oregon costs $30 (about 3 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in New York City costs $25 (about 3 hours ago)
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in Panama City costs 7 B/. (about 4 hours ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Las Vegas, Nevada costs $85 (about 4 hours ago)
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Varanasi costs ₨2,000 (about 4 hours ago)