Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 69% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 (AU$48) | AU$24 | + 103% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (AU$28) | AU$15 | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 (AU$19) | AU$7 | + 155% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.74 (AU$3.11) | AU$1.95 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (AU$15) | AU$7 | + 98% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.14 (AU$7) | AU$5.93 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (AU$17) | AU$10 | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.58 (AU$6) | AU$4.94 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 3.18 (AU$5.69) | AU$3.79 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.21 (AU$3.95) | AU$7 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 18 (AU$32) | AU$22 | + 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.39 (AU$6) | AU$3.87 | + 57% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.87 (AU$5.14) | AU$2.22 | + 131% | |
| Housing | + 48% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 48% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,652 (AU$6,536) | AU$3,978 | + 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,479 (AU$4,436) | AU$2,789 | + 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 227 (AU$406) | AU$243 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,199 (AU$3,936) | AU$2,790 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,556 (AU$2,785) | AU$2,047 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 149 (AU$266) | AU$195 | + 37% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 44 (AU$79) | AU$65 | + 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 349 (AU$625) | AU$640 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 (AU$205) | AU$260 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 20 (AU$35) | AU$15 | + 130% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (AU$55) | AU$40 | + 36% | |
| Clothes | + 25% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 25% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 106 (AU$189) | AU$122 | + 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 48 (AU$86) | AU$91 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 128 (AU$229) | AU$163 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 151 (AU$271) | AU$176 | + 54% | |
| Transportation | + 5% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 5% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 33,549 (AU$60,040) | AU$40,654 | + 48% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.84 (AU$3.29) | AU$1.96 | + 68% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 76 (AU$136) | AU$152 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 107% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 107% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (AU$26) | AU$8 | + 212% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (AU$32) | AU$23 | + 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 131 (AU$235) | AU$85 | + 176% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.00 (AU$9) | AU$6 | + 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.39 (AU$10) | AU$4.98 | + 93% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.94 (AU$9) | AU$9 | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 5.14 (AU$9) | AU$4.26 | + 116% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.63 (AU$6) | AU$4.31 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 59 (AU$106) | AU$39 | + 170% | |
| Entertainment | + 69% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 69% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Switzerland | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 88 (AU$158) | AU$78 | + 104% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 43 (AU$77) | AU$46 | + 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 169 (AU$303) | AU$257 | + 18% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 140 (AU$251) | AU$140 | + 80% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (AU$31) | AU$22 | + 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 6 (AU$11) | AU$5.44 | + 99% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (AU$14) | AU$13 | + 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 581 (AU$1,040) | AU$898 | + 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 1.00 (AU$1.79) | AU$0.76 | + 137% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 101 (AU$180) | AU$87 | + 106% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (AU$16) | AU$46 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | + 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.790
AUD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,066 prices entered by 390 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in Australia
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