Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | + 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 45% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 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 15 (€16) | €11 | + 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 (€11) | €5.94 | + 85% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.82 (€1.95) | €1.28 | + 52% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 7 (€8) | €3.67 | + 117% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.82 (€4.08) | €6 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (€11) | €6 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.96 (€4.23) | €2.59 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.80 (€2.98) | €2.11 | + 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.47 (€2.63) | €1.89 | + 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 17 (€18) | €8 | + 142% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.02 (€3.23) | €2.89 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.68 (€2.85) | €2.00 | + 43% | |
| Housing | + 87% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 87% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,369 (€3,595) | €1,315 | + 173% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,370 (€2,529) | €1,170 | + 116% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 213 (€227) | €265 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,020 (€2,155) | €873 | + 147% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,545 (€1,649) | €663 | + 149% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 154 (€164) | €154 | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 39 (€41) | €54 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 388 (€414) | €302 | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 148 (€158) | €110 | + 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 20 (€22) | €17 | + 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (€32) | €12 | + 165% | |
| Clothes | + 32% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 32% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 99 (€105) | €89 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 47 (€50) | €35 | + 43% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 123 (€131) | €90 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 146 (€156) | €120 | + 30% | |
| Transportation | + 38% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 38% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 29,799 (€31,795) | €32,008 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.79 (€1.91) | €1.66 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 82 (€88) | €54 | + 64% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 29% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 12 (€13) | €12 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (€19) | €14 | + 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 105 (€112) | €30 | + 274% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.02 (€5.35) | €5.29 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.17 (€5.51) | €9 | - 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.80 (€5.12) | €4.92 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 4.41 (€4.71) | €3.01 | + 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.70 (€3.94) | €4.00 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 47 (€50) | €29 | + 74% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (€81) | €43 | + 88% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 38 (€41) | €25 | + 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 141 (€150) | €90 | + 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 123 (€131) | €140 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (€18) | €12 | + 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 (€6) | €3.51 | + 72% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€8) | €4.70 | + 75% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 497 (€530) | €561 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.59 (€0.63) | €0.25 | + 151% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 89 (€95) | €82 | + 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€10) | €11 | - 12% | |
| TOTAL | + 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 29, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.067
EUR
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,009 prices entered by 183 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 51% more expensive than in Belgium
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Argentina is 34% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 13% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 55% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 9% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Albania is 50% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Angola is 56% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Armenia is 31% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Belgium