Cost of living in Essen (Germany) is 51% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 344 prices entered by 63 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Essen (Germany) is 56% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €11 (CHF 10) | CHF 25 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €7 (CHF 6) | CHF 16 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.30 (CHF 4.04) | CHF 12 | - 67% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.96 (CHF 0.90) | CHF 1.84 | - 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.93 (CHF 2.76) | CHF 8 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.33 (CHF 2.19) | CHF 4.06 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €4.84 (CHF 4.55) | CHF 9 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.32 (CHF 2.18) | CHF 3.30 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.29 (CHF 1.21) | CHF 2.49 | - 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.80 (CHF 0.75) | CHF 1.95 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €6 (CHF 5.90) | CHF 14 | - 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.77 (CHF 1.67) | CHF 3.05 | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.35 (CHF 1.27) | CHF 1.82 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in Essen (Germany) is 64% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,047 (CHF 984) | CHF 3,773 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €598 (CHF 562) | CHF 2,282 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €201 (CHF 189) | CHF 187 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €615 (CHF 578) | CHF 2,376 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €427 (CHF 402) | CHF 1,457 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €146 (CHF 137) | CHF 104 | + 32% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 (CHF 24) | CHF 34 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €447 (CHF 420) | CHF 327 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €134 (CHF 126) | CHF 76 | + 65% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 (CHF 8) | CHF 12 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €13 (CHF 12) | CHF 30 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Essen (Germany) is 17% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €82 (CHF 77) | CHF 104 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €49 (CHF 46) | CHF 50 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €82 (CHF 77) | CHF 89 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €111 (CHF 105) | CHF 132 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Essen (Germany) is 35% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €23,072 (CHF 21,682) | CHF 26,830 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.43 (CHF 1.35) | CHF 1.75 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €63 (CHF 60) | CHF 91 | - 35% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €22 (CHF 21) | CHF 54 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 51% | |||
| Personal Care in Essen (Germany) is 51% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 (CHF 8) | CHF 15 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €13 (CHF 12) | CHF 21 | - 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €76 (CHF 72) | CHF 115 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €2.52 (CHF 2.37) | CHF 5.38 | - 56% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €1.73 (CHF 1.63) | CHF 4.24 | - 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.36 (CHF 2.22) | CHF 4.67 | - 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.35 (CHF 1.27) | CHF 3.69 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.38 (CHF 1.30) | CHF 3.55 | - 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €16 (CHF 15) | CHF 54 | - 72% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Essen (Germany) is 54% cheaper than in Zurich (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Essen | Zurich | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €31 (CHF 30) | CHF 57 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €19 (CHF 18) | CHF 32 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €89 (CHF 83) | CHF 185 | - 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €56 (CHF 52) | CHF 93 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €8 (CHF 7) | CHF 16 | - 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.15 (CHF 2.96) | CHF 5.70 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.49 (CHF 3.28) | CHF 8 | - 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €453 (CHF 426) | CHF 541 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.12 (CHF 0.11) | CHF 0.49 | - 78% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €27 (CHF 25) | CHF 60 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €6 (CHF 5.89) | CHF 9 | - 32% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 51% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 25, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.940
CHF
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 344 prices entered by 63 different people.
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