Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 51% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (C$37) | C$23 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (C$22) | C$13 | + 73% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 (C$19) | C$8 | + 131% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.66 (C$2.42) | C$3.06 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 7 (C$11) | C$5.24 | + 102% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.99 (C$5.83) | C$4.82 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 (C$17) | C$10 | + 77% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.53 (C$5.17) | C$4.57 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.30 (C$3.36) | C$3.06 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.90 (C$2.78) | C$3.49 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 (C$21) | C$18 | + 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.31 (C$3.38) | C$2.64 | + 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.56 (C$3.73) | C$2.99 | + 25% | |
| Housing | + 47% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,365 (C$4,919) | C$2,788 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,532 (C$3,701) | C$2,240 | + 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 189 (C$277) | C$222 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,896 (C$2,772) | C$1,944 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,449 (C$2,118) | C$1,551 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 97 (C$141) | C$132 | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 50 (C$72) | C$71 | + 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 479 (C$700) | C$412 | + 70% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 106 (C$155) | C$198 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 (C$17) | C$14 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 33 (C$48) | C$29 | + 65% | |
| Clothes | + 57% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 57% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 105 (C$154) | C$81 | + 91% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (C$74) | C$52 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 (C$168) | C$122 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 182 (C$266) | C$147 | + 82% | |
| Transportation | + 18% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 18% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,210 (C$45,617) | C$29,448 | + 55% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 2.05 (C$3.00) | C$1.83 | + 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 79 (C$115) | C$111 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 53% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (C$22) | C$12 | + 82% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 35 (C$51) | C$30 | + 71% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 130 (C$191) | C$101 | + 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.29 (C$8) | C$9 | - 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.05 (C$5.92) | C$6 | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.98 (C$7) | C$5.78 | + 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 2.69 (C$3.93) | C$4.13 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.07 (C$4.48) | C$3.03 | + 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 50 (C$73) | C$30 | + 146% | |
| Entertainment | + 32% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 32% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 67 (C$98) | C$68 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 39 (C$57) | C$31 | + 85% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 85 (C$125) | C$211 | - 41% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 113 (C$165) | C$109 | + 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (C$25) | C$13 | + 87% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.13 (C$7) | C$5.02 | + 49% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (C$10) | C$8 | + 36% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 813 (C$1,188) | C$811 | + 46% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.22 (C$0.32) | C$0.43 | - 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 81 (C$118) | C$58 | + 103% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$14) | C$17 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | + 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.462
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,206 prices entered by 1,020 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 39% more expensive than in Canada
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