Cost of living in Zurich, Switzerland vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | + 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 34% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 ($29) | $19 | + 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 14 ($15) | $11 | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 ($12) | $5.19 | + 133% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.53 ($1.64) | $1.21 | + 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($8) | $3.92 | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.07 ($4.37) | $4.21 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 ($11) | $7 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.53 ($3.79) | $4.37 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.24 ($2.40) | $2.38 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.52 ($1.64) | $2.95 | - 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 ($16) | $18 | - 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.36 ($2.53) | $2.37 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.46 ($2.64) | $2.24 | + 18% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,122 ($3,353) | $3,253 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,296 ($2,467) | $2,659 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 140 ($151) | $149 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,930 ($2,073) | $2,410 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,287 ($1,383) | $1,555 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 142 ($153) | $114 | + 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 37 ($40) | $38 | + 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 429 ($461) | $329 | + 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 130 ($140) | $128 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 19 ($20) | $10 | + 96% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 ($33) | $37 | - 13% | |
| Clothes | + 60% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 60% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 111 ($120) | $49 | + 145% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 63 ($68) | $50 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 125 ($134) | $89 | + 51% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 186 ($199) | $112 | + 78% | |
| Transportation | + 34% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 34% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,329 ($28,282) | $23,712 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.46 ($1.57) | $0.92 | + 70% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 91 ($98) | $81 | + 21% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 41 ($44) | $19 | + 135% | |
| Personal Care | + 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 40% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 ($17) | $7 | + 143% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 29 ($31) | $21 | + 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 130 ($139) | $110 | + 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 ($8) | $7 | + 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.83 ($5.18) | $3.71 | + 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.57 ($5.98) | $5.68 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.38 ($3.63) | $3.57 | + 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.61 ($3.88) | $1.93 | + 102% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 40 ($43) | $21 | + 102% | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 28% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 73 ($78) | $50 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 34 ($36) | $27 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 262 ($281) | $202 | + 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 98 ($105) | $89 | + 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 ($19) | $13 | + 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.03 ($5.40) | $5.70 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($8) | $8 | + 0% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 470 ($505) | $436 | + 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.39 ($0.42) | $0.43 | - 3% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 104 ($112) | $62 | + 80% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 ($9) | $9 | - 4% | |
| TOTAL | + 20% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 950 prices entered by 113 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.074
USD
/
CHF
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Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 20% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, you would need at least $11,646 (CHF 10,842) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $9,700 in San Jose, California.
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