Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 69% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 (C$37) | C$20 | + 90% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (C$21) | C$11 | + 87% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$17) | C$8 | + 110% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.63 (C$2.23) | C$2.57 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$10) | C$4.30 | + 142% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.55 (C$4.86) | C$4.48 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (C$14) | C$11 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.58 (C$4.90) | C$3.95 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.68 (C$3.67) | C$2.75 | + 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.77 (C$3.79) | C$3.38 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 (C$22) | C$19 | + 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.12 (C$4.28) | C$2.55 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.72 (C$3.72) | C$2.06 | + 80% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 66% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,863 (C$3,920) | C$2,277 | + 72% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,274 (C$3,113) | C$1,706 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 216 (C$296) | C$195 | + 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,993 (C$2,729) | C$1,510 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,246 (C$1,706) | C$1,149 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 302 (C$414) | C$130 | + 219% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 43 (C$59) | C$55 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 494 (C$677) | C$380 | + 78% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 121 (C$165) | C$172 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 15 (C$20) | C$10 | + 92% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 29 (C$40) | C$27 | + 49% | |
| Clothes | + 89% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 89% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 123 (C$169) | C$71 | + 137% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 68 (C$93) | C$54 | + 70% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 139 (C$190) | C$116 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 234 (C$321) | C$142 | + 126% | |
| Transportation | + 35% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 35% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 29,281 (C$40,087) | C$26,505 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.70 (C$2.33) | C$1.37 | + 69% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 89 (C$121) | C$96 | + 27% | |
| Personal Care | + 68% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 68% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 17 (C$24) | C$10 | + 145% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 (C$33) | C$23 | + 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 137 (C$187) | C$119 | + 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.58 (C$8) | C$8 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.25 (C$7) | C$4.94 | + 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.32 (C$7) | C$5.33 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.61 (C$4.94) | C$3.11 | + 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.83 (C$5.25) | C$2.44 | + 115% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 53 (C$72) | C$25 | + 191% | |
| Entertainment | + 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 58% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (C$105) | C$58 | + 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 37 (C$51) | C$28 | + 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 177 (C$242) | C$157 | + 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 115 (C$158) | C$107 | + 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (C$25) | C$13 | + 96% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.46 (C$7) | C$5.23 | + 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (C$10) | C$7 | + 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 504 (C$690) | C$574 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.41 (C$0.56) | C$0.50 | + 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 126 (C$173) | C$59 | + 192% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$14 | - 20% | |
| TOTAL | + 59% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 26, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.369
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,961 prices entered by 913 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 59% more expensive than in Canada
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