Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Austria
Currency:
| Food | + 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 51% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 28 (€30) | €17 | + 71% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (€17) | €11 | + 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 (€12) | €6 | + 91% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.77 (€1.90) | €1.79 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 7 (€8) | €5.48 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.95 (€4.23) | €3.17 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (€11) | €8 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.66 (€3.91) | €2.00 | + 96% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.53 (€2.71) | €1.89 | + 43% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.36 (€2.52) | €1.28 | + 97% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 19 (€20) | €10 | + 106% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.73 (€2.93) | €3.29 | - 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.49 (€2.67) | €2.55 | + 5% | |
| Housing | + 104% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 104% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,392 (€3,630) | €1,302 | + 179% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,380 (€2,547) | €963 | + 165% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 223 (€239) | €215 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,020 (€2,161) | €1,238 | + 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,545 (€1,653) | €827 | + 100% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 154 (€164) | €111 | + 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 39 (€41) | €28 | + 49% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 388 (€415) | €200 | + 108% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 148 (€159) | €80 | + 98% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 19 (€21) | €14 | + 45% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (€32) | €15 | + 117% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 42% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 107 (€114) | €100 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (€53) | €32 | + 66% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 134 (€144) | €101 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 170 (€181) | €90 | + 102% | |
| Transportation | + 27% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 27% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,964 (€34,205) | €37,989 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.79 (€1.92) | €1.60 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 80 (€86) | €59 | + 47% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 12% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 12 (€13) | €14 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (€19) | €13 | + 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 105 (€112) | €152 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.34 (€5.71) | €5.00 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.10 (€5.45) | €4.17 | + 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.10 (€5.46) | €6 | - 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 4.57 (€4.89) | €2.39 | + 105% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.94 (€4.22) | €2.33 | + 81% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 47 (€51) | €29 | + 73% | |
| Entertainment | + 83% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 83% more expensive than in Austria | ||||
| Switzerland | Austria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (€81) | €54 | + 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 38 (€41) | €22 | + 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 141 (€151) | €200 | - 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 123 (€132) | €80 | + 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (€19) | €14 | + 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 (€6) | €5.46 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€8) | €5.19 | + 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 497 (€532) | €689 | - 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.59 (€0.63) | €0.10 | + 541% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 89 (€96) | €42 | + 128% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€10) | €6 | + 51% | |
| TOTAL | + 58% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.070
EUR
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 901 prices entered by 162 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 58% more expensive than in Austria
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