Cost of living in Albania compared to Switzerland
Currency:
Food | - 58% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 58% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 872 Lek (CHF 8) | CHF 27 | - 69% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 901 Lek (CHF 9) | CHF 15 | - 44% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 370 Lek (CHF 3.58) | CHF 11 | - 67% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 155 Lek (CHF 1.50) | CHF 1.85 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | 346 Lek (CHF 3.35) | CHF 8 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 205 Lek (CHF 1.98) | CHF 4.08 | - 51% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 482 Lek (CHF 4.66) | CHF 10 | - 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (CHF 1.73) | CHF 3.53 | - 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 88 Lek (CHF 0.85) | CHF 2.46 | - 65% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 117 Lek (CHF 1.13) | CHF 2.65 | - 57% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,286 Lek (CHF 12) | CHF 19 | - 33% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 189 Lek (CHF 1.83) | CHF 2.73 | - 33% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 58 Lek (CHF 0.56) | CHF 2.49 | - 78% | |
Housing | - 79% | |||
Housing in Albania is 79% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,370 Lek (CHF 526) | CHF 3,456 | - 85% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 47,310 Lek (CHF 457) | CHF 2,376 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Lek (CHF 68) | CHF 223 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (CHF 313) | CHF 2,311 | - 86% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (CHF 244) | CHF 1,662 | - 85% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (CHF 66) | CHF 154 | - 57% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,317 Lek (CHF 13) | CHF 37 | - 66% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (CHF 282) | CHF 329 | - 14% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (CHF 196) | CHF 148 | + 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 600 Lek (CHF 5.80) | CHF 19 | - 70% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (CHF 9) | CHF 30 | - 69% | |
Clothes | - 37% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 37% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (CHF 38) | CHF 107 | - 65% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (CHF 34) | CHF 50 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (CHF 145) | CHF 134 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (CHF 125) | CHF 170 | - 26% | |
Transportation | - 65% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 65% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (CHF 5,318) | CHF 29,589 | - 82% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 189 Lek (CHF 1.83) | CHF 1.80 | + 2% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,718 Lek (CHF 17) | CHF 80 | - 79% | |
Personal Care | - 59% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 59% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (CHF 1.93) | CHF 12 | - 84% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (CHF 6) | CHF 18 | - 64% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (CHF 24) | CHF 105 | - 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (CHF 2.42) | CHF 5.34 | - 55% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (CHF 3.63) | CHF 5.10 | - 29% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (CHF 4.00) | CHF 5.10 | - 22% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (CHF 3.23) | CHF 4.57 | - 29% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (CHF 3.70) | CHF 3.94 | - 6% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (CHF 5.46) | CHF 47 | - 88% | |
Entertainment | - 36% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 36% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Albania | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,522 Lek (CHF 44) | CHF 76 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,400 Lek (CHF 14) | CHF 38 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | CHF 141 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,089 Lek (CHF 78) | CHF 123 | - 36% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,427 Lek (CHF 14) | CHF 18 | - 24% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (CHF 1.93) | CHF 5.65 | - 66% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (CHF 3.03) | CHF 8 | - 61% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (CHF 725) | CHF 497 | + 46% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | CHF 0.59 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,114 Lek (CHF 40) | CHF 89 | - 56% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 358 Lek (CHF 3.46) | CHF 9 | - 62% | |
TOTAL | - 63% |

These prices were last updated on June 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00967
CHF
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 63% cheaper than in Switzerland
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