Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 73% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 73% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (C$34) | C$18 | + 93% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 14 (C$19) | C$11 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$17) | C$7 | + 141% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.60 (C$2.17) | C$2.39 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$11) | C$3.88 | + 179% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.48 (C$6) | C$3.85 | + 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 (C$15) | C$10 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 4.18 (C$5.68) | C$3.78 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.64 (C$3.59) | C$2.40 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.97 (C$2.68) | C$3.31 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 (C$21) | C$18 | + 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.90 (C$3.94) | C$2.32 | + 70% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.35 (C$3.19) | C$2.04 | + 56% | |
| Housing | + 57% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 57% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,833 (C$3,850) | C$2,159 | + 78% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,110 (C$2,867) | C$1,607 | + 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 214 (C$291) | C$166 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,618 (C$2,199) | C$1,609 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,199 (C$1,629) | C$1,094 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 132 (C$179) | C$108 | + 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 39 (C$53) | C$53 | - 0% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 680 (C$923) | C$426 | + 117% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 121 (C$164) | C$161 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 (C$25) | C$11 | + 129% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (C$43) | C$23 | + 84% | |
| Clothes | + 66% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 66% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 108 (C$147) | C$68 | + 118% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 59 (C$80) | C$54 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 127 (C$173) | C$113 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 190 (C$258) | C$136 | + 90% | |
| Transportation | + 4% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 25,335 (C$34,427) | C$24,940 | + 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.62 (C$2.21) | C$1.24 | + 78% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 71 (C$96) | C$112 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 82% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 82% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 18 (C$25) | C$11 | + 135% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 45 (C$62) | C$22 | + 181% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 113 (C$153) | C$85 | + 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 6 (C$9) | C$8 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.41 (C$5.99) | C$5.03 | + 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.30 (C$5.84) | C$5.01 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.84 (C$5.22) | C$2.98 | + 75% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.41 (C$4.63) | C$2.31 | + 100% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 35 (C$47) | C$24 | + 96% | |
| Entertainment | + 52% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 52% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 69 (C$94) | C$54 | + 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 (C$49) | C$28 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 129 (C$176) | C$163 | + 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 116 (C$158) | C$102 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (C$23) | C$11 | + 103% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 4.92 (C$7) | C$4.87 | + 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (C$9) | C$7 | + 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 530 (C$721) | C$562 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.37 (C$0.50) | C$0.38 | + 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 100 (C$136) | C$59 | + 131% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$14 | - 20% | |
| TOTAL | + 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.359
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 14,662 prices entered by 2,315 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in Canada
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