Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 77% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 77% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 26 (C$38) | C$19 | + 104% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 14 (C$20) | C$11 | + 88% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$18) | C$7 | + 161% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.54 (C$2.22) | C$2.44 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$11) | C$3.85 | + 185% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.60 (C$5.18) | C$4.57 | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 (C$16) | C$10 | + 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.84 (C$5.52) | C$3.92 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.35 (C$3.37) | C$2.71 | + 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.96 (C$2.82) | C$3.12 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 (C$21) | C$17 | + 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.40 (C$3.45) | C$2.28 | + 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.60 (C$3.74) | C$2.24 | + 67% | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 50% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,790 (C$4,014) | C$2,271 | + 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,135 (C$3,071) | C$1,752 | + 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 157 (C$227) | C$173 | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,589 (C$2,286) | C$1,725 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,203 (C$1,731) | C$1,271 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 89 (C$128) | C$113 | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 41 (C$59) | C$54 | + 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 465 (C$669) | C$373 | + 79% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 120 (C$173) | C$163 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 17 (C$24) | C$11 | + 121% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 29 (C$42) | C$22 | + 88% | |
| Clothes | + 86% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 86% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 110 (C$158) | C$72 | + 121% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 59 (C$84) | C$48 | + 76% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 127 (C$182) | C$109 | + 68% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 176 (C$253) | C$141 | + 80% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 17% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 27,830 (C$40,038) | C$25,352 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.48 (C$2.13) | C$1.12 | + 90% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 83 (C$119) | C$118 | + 1% | |
| Personal Care | + 107% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 107% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 17 (C$24) | C$11 | + 120% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 54 (C$77) | C$16 | + 379% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 92 (C$132) | C$78 | + 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.70 (C$8) | C$8 | - 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.51 (C$6) | C$5.01 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.58 (C$8) | C$5.57 | + 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.46 (C$4.98) | C$3.24 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 4.46 (C$6) | C$2.58 | + 149% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 37 (C$53) | C$25 | + 113% | |
| Entertainment | + 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 66% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (C$109) | C$53 | + 104% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 35 (C$50) | C$29 | + 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 222 (C$319) | C$159 | + 101% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 109 (C$157) | C$91 | + 72% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (C$23) | C$12 | + 90% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.09 (C$7) | C$4.78 | + 53% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (C$11) | C$7 | + 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 455 (C$654) | C$568 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.37 (C$0.53) | C$0.42 | + 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 102 (C$146) | C$57 | + 156% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$12) | C$15 | - 15% | |
| TOTAL | + 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 24, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.439
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,360 prices entered by 1,396 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 54% more expensive than in Canada
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