Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 55% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 (C$45) | C$25 | + 81% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (C$26) | C$15 | + 72% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$21) | C$10 | + 105% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.77 (C$3.00) | C$3.02 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$13) | C$5.77 | + 128% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.82 (C$6) | C$5.96 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (C$16) | C$12 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.79 (C$6) | C$5.48 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.57 (C$4.35) | C$4.18 | + 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.29 (C$3.87) | C$4.05 | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 17 (C$29) | C$23 | + 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.03 (C$5.12) | C$3.48 | + 47% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.54 (C$4.30) | C$3.12 | + 38% | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 50% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,427 (C$5,796) | C$3,232 | + 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,370 (C$4,008) | C$2,663 | + 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 213 (C$361) | C$261 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,089 (C$3,533) | C$2,232 | + 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,545 (C$2,613) | C$1,825 | + 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 154 (C$260) | C$138 | + 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 39 (C$65) | C$72 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 388 (C$656) | C$373 | + 76% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 148 (C$251) | C$237 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 20 (C$35) | C$18 | + 91% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (C$50) | C$34 | + 46% | |
| Clothes | + 47% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 99 (C$167) | C$89 | + 88% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 46 (C$78) | C$66 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 123 (C$207) | C$136 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 146 (C$248) | C$170 | + 46% | |
| Transportation | + 31% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 31% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 29,799 (C$50,393) | C$33,025 | + 53% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.79 (C$3.02) | C$1.67 | + 81% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 81 (C$137) | C$111 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 23% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 12 (C$21) | C$13 | + 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (C$31) | C$29 | + 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 105 (C$177) | C$175 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.02 (C$8) | C$12 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.17 (C$9) | C$8 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.80 (C$8) | C$7 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 4.41 (C$7) | C$4.20 | + 78% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.70 (C$6) | C$3.95 | + 58% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 44 (C$75) | C$34 | + 124% | |
| Entertainment | + 70% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 70% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (C$128) | C$74 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 35 (C$60) | C$35 | + 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 141 (C$238) | C$200 | + 19% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 123 (C$208) | C$135 | + 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (C$29) | C$17 | + 73% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 (C$10) | C$6 | + 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (C$13) | C$8 | + 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 497 (C$840) | C$658 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.59 (C$0.99) | C$0.45 | + 123% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 89 (C$151) | C$63 | + 139% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$15) | C$20 | - 27% | |
| TOTAL | + 49% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.691
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,051 prices entered by 586 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 49% more expensive than in Canada
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